MEMPHIS DEPAY clashed with Lyon Ultras as the ex-Manchester United ace tried to grab a flag branding team-mate Marcelo a donkey.
Late-goal hero Depay had to be hauled away amid astonishing scenes after Lyon sneaked into the Champions League knockout stage with a 2-2 comeback draw at home to Leipzig.
Memphis Depay and Lyon players clashed with Ultras after a banner called Marcelo a ‘donkey’Credit: Reuters
Memphis tried to snatch the offending banner out the hands of a fan, causing a melee
Unhappy Lyon stars swarmed behind the goal as security staff gathered in front of the Ultras.
And Dutch striker Depay looked the angriest as he sprinted over, attempting in vain to take the banner from a nimble fan as team-mates converged.
Depay was steered away in the ugly flare-up.
But Brazilian Marcelo, the regular butt of criticism from home supporters, also made a furious gesture as team-mates declined to applaud the Ultras – known as the Bad Gones.
Marcelo shows his anger with Lyon Ultras amid ugly scenes at the end after they unveiled a banner calling him a donkey
‘FURIOUS’
Depay later 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].
“I have to stay calm, I have no words for this.”
Centre-back Marcelo strode over and raised his hands out wide in a furious gesture, before he too was guided away.
Most Lyon players then returned to the dressing room.
But academy graduates Anthony Lopes and Houssem Aouar stayed out to talk to senior members of the Ultras.
Lopes told RMC Sport: “What happened? You have seen, there is no need to say more…
“Some things have happened between us, it’s up to us to fix them internally.
“We will see later, we will try to find solutions. We would have liked to share [qualification] in other circumstances.”
The flare-up overshadowed a stirring revival from Lyon against group leaders Leipzig.
Needing a draw to ensure qualification, the Ligue 1 side trailed to first-half penalties from Emil Forsberg and Timo Werner.
But Houssem Aouar struck on 52 minutes before Depay’s late leveller put Lyon through.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
