Shirts swapped at the end of the England USA group match were taken in the theft [Getty Images]. Shirts swapped at the end of the England USA group match were taken in the theft [Getty Images].

England’s football team was the victim of thefts by staff at its luxury hotel in Rustenburg, South Africa.

Five hotel cleaners stole US $10,500 worth of belongings, including USA football shirts swapped after the group game, cash, underwear and an unexplained official FIFA gold medal.

The cleaners pleaded guilty and have been sentenced by a special World Cup court.

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The cleaners, who were employed by the Royal Marang Hotel in Rustenburg, face three years in prison or a $785 fine.

'We can confirm that some items went missing, which have thankfully been returned,' an FA spokesman said.