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European champions Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o attacked head coach Frank Rijkaard for the latter's comments after Sunday's victory against Santander's "Racing." After the 2-0 victory, the Dutchman stated that S. Eto'o refused to take the field after being substituted.
"To say in a press conference that I didn't want to play, only a bad person could say that," said the striker to journalists on Tuesday. "They can say whatever they want, but I always fulfilled my obligations to my teammates. Real men should say everything to my face."
According to F. Rijkaard's version, the Dutchman asked the recently recovered Cameroonian player who had been out for four months due to injury to take to the field after being substituted at the end of Sunday's match against "Racing," but the player refused.
"Eto'o got heated, but then he told my assistant Eusebio that he didn't want to take to the field," the Dutchman said after the match.
"I think it's wrong because every minute, every moment can be crucial. I didn't speak with him, but I am always ready to do so," said the coach.
S. Eto'o, who has regretted his harsh comments before, added that the media blew up the incident with the help of opponents of "Barcelona" president Joan Laporta but also mentioned that there were two factions within the team.
"Players are divided, there are two factions: some are with the president, and others support something else," said the striker.
"I got caught up in the crossfire," said the Cameroonian. "There are two groups at Barcelona, and I ended up in the one that has to bear the brunt. I don't have to explain myself to anyone. I will only explain myself to the club if they ask me to."
