It is a surreal scene that took place on Sunday at La Meinau. While receiving his player trophy of the month, Emanuel Emegha, Captain of the RC Strasbourg, was hoa and whistled by part of the ultra. A banner has even been deployed: “Emegha, Blueco pawn. After changing his jersey, make your armband ”. A frontal and violent attack. How did he react? Did he face, ignored, answered?
“He was devastated, and me too”
The player's reaction, we know her by his coach, Liam Rosenior. And she is the opposite of the image of mercenary that the ultras want to stick to her. “Emanuel Emegha was devastated, and me too”,
Looked down the coach at a press conference, visibly very affected. “I am very disappointed with what I saw. Seeing banners against one of the best players of last season is inadmissible. »»
This sadness of the player says a lot about the misunderstanding that reigns in Strasbourg. Emegha is not a traitor. He signed a contract with Chelsea, which will be effective in a year. A deal made possible by the fact that the two clubs belong to the same owner, Blueco. But he chose to stay an increasingly in Alsace season to help the club play the European Cup. A choice that he was not forced to make.
Strasbourg: Emanuel Emegha targeted by his own supporters
Emegha, scapegoat of a system
In reality, Emegha is only the scapegoat of a conflict that exceeds him. What supporters reject is the model of multi -ownership, this feeling that their club is only a satellite, a “pawn” at the service of the interests of Chelsea. They want their president, Marc Keller, and their American owners. And they chose to pour their frustration on the most symbolic player of this system.
It is a cruel paradox. Strasbourg has had its best start to the season for decades, but part of its audience refuses to celebrate. They see in each victory the validation of a model they execate. Rosenior may defend his captain, the dialogue seems broken. And in the middle, a 22 -year -old, “devastated” by the ingratitude of those he worn on his shoulders.
