Strasbourg manager Gary O’Neil reacts to Valentin Barco-Samir El Mourabet spat | OneFootball

RC Strasbourg Alsace won the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 tie against HNK Rijeka (2-1), however, there was clearly tension inside the Alsace camp at full-time.

Joaquín Panichelli gave Strasbourg the lead in Croatia before Martial Godo doubled the scoring in the 72nd minute. Rijeka halved the deficit soon after, however, to give themselves a fighting chance ahead of next week’s second leg at the Meinau. 

Barco and El Mourabet split up by Strasbourg teammates

But despite seizing control of the European tie, there was an altercation between two RCSA players at full-time. Valentin Barco and Samir El Mourabet, who play alongside each other in midfield, grabbed each other’s shirts and exchanged words, with the former pointing his finger at the latter. The pair were then separated by Guéla Doué and Lucas Hogsberg. 

Speaking post-match, Gary O’Neil sought to play down the incident. “There was nothing special. They came together, as can happen in a dressing room, at training, every day, and no one sees it,” said the former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth manager. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle