BARCELONA coach Quiquie Setien fears that the club’s reputation was harmed by his assistant ranting on the bench during El Clasico.
Reports emerged of the LaLiga giants’ dressing room becoming unhappy after footage emerged of Eder Sarabia’s foul-mouthed tirade against certain players as they lost 2-0 to Real Madrid.
Setien was left embarrassed by the Clasico incident involving Sarabia (left)Credit: Reuters
Antoine Griezmann was one target for a costly miss, the assistant shouting “Score Antoine, I s**t on my f****** mother”.
While he accused another with the line: “He does nothing then suddenly he starts playing and shooting, when he has to play the ball. B******!”
That forced Setien to apologise to his dressing room before confessing his worries over the club’s image.
The 61-year-old told El Periodico: “We apologised to everyone, we cannot behave like that.
“We don’t like to see things like this, we have committed an error and we should try to avoid something like this happening again.
“This situation has affected me a lot, because I am concerned about the image of the club.
“We need to take care of that image, because we can be criticised for substitutions, tactics, but not for our behaviour.
“It’s a bit of an embarrassment that this has become a news story and has provoked such a huge reaction.”
In speaking to the media at Friday’s press conference, Setien asserted that he had “no problem” with Sarabia – but warned his club they must set a good example with the language they use.
The Barcelona boss explained: “The only thing that Eder has done wrong is the way he expressed himself. I didn’t like it and I want to clarify this.
“They can generate doubts, but we don’t have any. The interpretation many people can make of shouting is that it is normal to shout on the pitch, to warn players or show your anger. I love that and it doesn’t worry me at all.
“What concerns me is the language. When we have apologised, it was for the words that have been used and should not be used at a club like this.
Barcelona players were reportedly unhappy with Sarabia’s actionsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“The rest, I think, is something that is accepted – shouting to warn players. We have the obligation to watch our words for the children who are watching us.
“Those of us who constantly go out in the media, we have to take care of our language.”
Now a point behind Madrid in the LaLiga title race, the Catalans host Copa del Rey finalists Real Sociedad on Saturday night with Sarabia expected to be back on the bench.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
