LYON defender Marcelo reportedly wants to leave the club as soon as possible after being the victim of a donkey banner paraded by the club’s ultras.
The 32-year-old was also targeted by an angry fan weeks ago after the 3-1 defeat at Benfica, and this latest unsavoury incident has proven to be the final straw for the Brazilian.
Marcelo fears for his family’s safety after continued abuse from the Lyon ultras
A fan ran onto the pitch after the 2-2 draw with RB Leipzig in the Champions League, holding a banner with a picture of a donkey on it, captioned: “Marcelo leave the club.”
And RMC report that he immediately told team-mates that he wants to leave the club as quickly as he can.
Marcelo has played 108 times for Lyon since arriving from Besiktas in 2017, but his relationship with the fans has completely deteriorated.
It has now reached the point where the player privately fears for the safety of his wife and two children, as he continues to be the subject of hatred from the club’s ultras.
He still has another 18 months left on his contract – but will ask that the club listen to offers for him in January.
But however long remains of his stay at Lyon, he will find himself in trouble for the retaliatory gesture he made towards the ultras last night.
Star player Memphis Depay was visibly fuming at the unsavoury incident after the game, as he ran towards the ultras and tried to confront them over the banner.
And afterwards, the former Manchester United man said: “I’m furious. I have to be careful, it reminds me of my past and I have no intention of becoming that person [again].
Marcelo angrily gestured towards the abusive ultras
“I have to stay calm, I have no words for this.”
It should have been a good night for the French club, as their stirring two goal comeback saw them sneak through to the Champions League Round of 16.
But the achievement was overshadowed by the ugly scenes at the end.
Memphis Depay clashes with Lyon Ultras as he tries to snatch flag branding team-mate Marcelo a donkey
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
