Matthaeus slams Ribery tantrum
BERLIN: Germany legend Lothar Matthaeus has criticised Franck Ribery for defiantly throwing off his Bayern Munich shirt after being substituted in Tuesday’s Champions League win over Anderlecht, prompting a passionate response from the Frenchman.
Having picked up an early booking for arguing with the referee in the 3- 0 home victory, Ribery was taken off with 12 minutes to go in Munich and hurled his shirt at the Bayern bench.
“Ribery has been here long enough now -- he is emotional, but you can’t throw your shirt on the bench like that,” ex- Bayern midfielder and Germany captain Matthaeus told Sky. “That is a bad.” Bayern head coach Carlo Ancelotti was equally unimpressed by the 34-year- old Frenchman’s behaviour.
“Of course, the player wants to play 90 minutes, but I decided to take him off because there were 10 minutes left, we had the game under control and he already had a yellow card,” said the Italian.
“He had had problems (an injury knock) at the weekend, so I don’t understand his reaction and I will talk to him about it.”
Ribery’s rage could well have consequences.
“We are FC Bayern, that is not okay and we will talk about it,” added director of sport Hasan Salihamidzic.
However, Ribery later defended his actions in an emotional statement.
“I have always been one of the honest and loyal players in this business, I respect the fans and I respect the club I love,” he wrote on his Facebook page.