Ex-Celtic star Dedryck Boyata says Club Brugge bosses are treating him like someone with a “hyper-contagious disease”.
The Belgian stopper was a guest this week for the Champions League clash between his former club and his current employers and even did the half time draw at Celtic Park, but has been completely frozen out at the Belgian champions – where he hasn’t played a single minute since February earlier this year and has been banished to train with the kids. And the former Manchester City defender has lashed out at his treatment by the club, saying: “Sometimes I train alone, sometimes with the reserves and regularly I get a program that I have to do at home – away from the training centre. I mainly struggle with the fact that I am isolated from everything and everyone.
“They wanted me to change in a small room where the cleaning crew keeps their stuff. I refused. I pick up my clothes there and just do it in the dressing room. And because I’m only allowed to train in the afternoon, I can’t eat at the club anymore. That way they want to make sure that I have no contact with my teammates in any way. It’s like I have a hyper-contagious disease.
“What bothers me most about this approach is that coaches have to stay longer in the afternoon to train with me. The same goes for the cleaners. But the way I’m treated is disrespectful to me. They say they respect me, but that doesn’t show in the way they treat me. Mentally they try to undermine you. Yet I continue to do everything they ask of me. “My situation is even worse now than before. I don’t have any chance to show myself anymore. Not with the A-team, not with the reserves and even participating in friendly matches is forbidden. This way I can’t find a new club.”
Boyata, who turned 34 this week and made more than 130 appearances during his time in Glasgow added: “I’m not 25 anymore and I won’t be the best player in the world anymore, but with match practice in my legs I can still mean a lot to clubs. Hopefully, that chance will come soon.” Club Brugge replied to Boyata’s complaints in his interview in Belgian media, stating: “We have been very clear regarding Dedryck’s situation in the summer – we want to find a solution together and with a view to finding a new club, we have let him train with the A-team all summer and even play friendly matches.
“When no club came along, we made him an offer of two-thirds of his annual salary to be a free agent. Dedryck refused that and has since then combined individual training in all professional conditions and training with the reserves five days a week.”
Meanwhile Hoops fans travelling to Zagreb next month have been warned to expect tough searches before entering the Croatian side’s stadium – despite UEFA launching an official probe into their treatment of Borussia Dortmund supporters, where fans claimed they were strip-searched.
Brendan Rodgers’ men travel to Croatia for their next Champions League showdown on December 10, but the Dortmund were left outraged at what they claimed was unfair treatment of their 2,500 travelling fans at the turnstiles at the Maksimir Stadium. It prompted the Bundesliga big guns to make an official complaint after fans reported they were strip-searched and manhandled and now UEFA have launched an official investigation too.
But Dinamo Zagreb have refused to back down and insisted their stewards acted professionally, saying “Dinamo rejects the accusations which refer to the actions of our security services and the police during security checks. The safety of all fans and spectators, regardless of their affiliation, is the priority of our club. The security services and the police who were engaged at the match acted exclusively in accordance with Croatian legislation, as well as international standards for securing public gatherings.
“During the inspection of visiting fans, standard security procedures were used with the aim of preventing the introduction of pyrotechnics and other prohibited items into the stadium. Based on the experience of numerous international matches, security services and the police are aware of the creative ways in which fans try to bring in pyrotechnic devices, and for this reason, detailed inspections are necessary.
“We especially emphasise that the rights and dignity of all persons were respected during the inspection. The privacy of each individual was protected in the best possible way, with full understanding of the sensitivity of such procedures.
“During the inspection of the away fans, our employees and the police found and confiscated certain prohibited items, including pyrotechnics that were hidden in places that further confirm the necessity of thorough inspections. There are photos for these items that we will submit to the relevant institutions as proof of the correctness and effectiveness of the measures taken.
“We will continue these checks, carried out professionally, at future matches with the aim of preserving the safety of everyone present at the stadium.”