Barca await explanation after Eto'o sub snub

[Lazie]

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MADRID, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard was prepared to wait for an explanation from striker Samuel Eto'o, after the Cameroon international refused to come on as a late substitute in Sunday's Primera Liga match. Barca were beating Racing Santander 2-0 in the Nou Camp thanks to goals from Ronaldinho but Eto'o, who is returning from four months out with a knee injury, said he did not want to play the last few minutes. 'Eto'o warmed up but afterwards told my assistant he did not want to come on. It's a shame but I haven't been able to speak to him to find out the reasons,' Rijkaard told the news conference after the game. Later on Sunday, Rijkaard told radio station Cadena Ser: 'It is best to sleep on it. I have to hear his side and we'll probably speak on Monday.' Barca president Joan Laporta told reporters: 'Samuel has suffered for four months and needs to be playing and scoring goals. We have to stand by him. Rijkaard is an expert in these situations and knows how to handle them.' Eto'o made his return from injury in the goalless draw away to Osasuna on Feb 4, coming on to play the last five minutes as a substitute.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV>

[Lazie]

RE: Barca await explanation after Eto'o sub snub

... and here I was thinking that it was Frank that dissed the big balla.

[Shatta]

RE: Barca await explanation after Eto'o sub snub

Onandi Lowe needs to chill and learn to accept substitution when it comes from the TD.

He Lowe needs to realise that he isn't bigger than the team. How come him a diss the TD.(N)

I say ban him and cut him for at least a year and who needs to hear his side.

respect

[Lazie]

RE: Barca await explanation after Eto'o sub snub

<H1>Eto'o launches scathing attack on Rijkaard</H1>

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MADRID, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Samuel Eto'o has hit out at Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard for saying the striker refused to come on as a substitute in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Racing Santander. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV>

'Telling a news conference I didn't want to play is the behaviour of a bad person,' the Cameroon international told reporters on Tuesday.

'They can say what they want but I've always met my obligations to my team mates. If you want to know what really happened you should ask Rijkaard.'

The Dutch coach asked Eto'o, who recently returned after four months out with a knee injury, to come on in the closing minutes at the Nou Camp but the striker rejected the request.

'Eto'o warmed up but afterwards told (assistant coach) Eusebio he did not want to come on,' said Rijkaard after the game.

'I think it's a shame because every minute, every moment, can be important...I haven't spoken with him but I'm always prepared to talk to the players.'

Eto'o, whose outspoken comments have landed him in trouble in the past, said the incident had been built up in the media by opponents of Barcelona president Joan Laporta.

'I've found myself in the middle of a war which isn't mine,' he said. 'There are two groups in Barcelona and I'm the one taking the flak.

'I don't have to give any explanations to anyone. I will only give an explanation to the club if they ask me to.'