Striker has to watch twice
Union suspends Fofana after refusing a handshake
October 26, 2023, 1:44 p.m
Nine competitive defeats in a row are causing problems for 1. FC Union Berlin. While Leonardo Bonucci clears up alleged discrepancies, David Fofana gets a break for thought. The trigger is the refused handshake for coach Urs Fischer after the substitution against SSC Napoli.
After refusing to shake hands with coach Urs Fischer in the Champions League, Bundesliga club 1. FC Union Berlin has suspended striker David Fofana for a week. The 20-year-old apologized in a personal conversation with Fischer and managing director Oliver Ruhnert, but he will still “train individually” until next Wednesday, said press spokesman Christian Arbeit before the game at Werder Bremen on Saturday (3.30 p.m./Sky and in the live ticker at ntv.de).
Fofana will also miss the cup game next Tuesday (6 p.m./Sky) at VfB Stuttgart. In the defeat against SSC Napoli (0-1), Fofana was substituted in the 70th minute and ignored Fischer. “It’s about the team, it’s always about how you behave after decisions,” said Fischer: “Football is still a team sport, so sometimes you have to submit. I hope that he learns from situations like this.” Fofana apologized via Instagram that night.
Meanwhile, Italian media reports that central defender Leonardo Bonucci is said to be very unhappy with his reserve role at Köpenicker were described by Fischer as a “duck”. But: “We are currently making headlines, that is absolutely unnecessary. We have enough to do with the results crisis,” said Fischer: “It’s about getting back on track.”
Naples defeat becomes encouraging
Bonucci himself had previously sent a clear message to the world via Instagram. “First of all the team!” (German: The team first), he wrote on Instagram about a picture of his teammates in a circle. “Without being surprised, I’m reading made-up stories about myself again,” wrote the 36-year-old, who also emphasized the solidarity in the squad and the intact relationship with Fischer.
Captain Christopher Trimmel also emphasized after the defeat against Naples that there were no differences in the dressing room. Regarding Fofana’s refusal to shake hands, the Austrian said: “Situations like this with David also happen in football,” without wanting to overestimate the scene.
Nevertheless, Union has enough problems after nine competitive defeats in a row, and Köpenicker and Fischer are under a lot of pressure in Bremen. The zero number against Naples was even interpreted as an encouragement. “If we continue like this, for me it is only a matter of time before we win again. If you perform like this against world-class teams like Naples, we will get the points again at some point,” said Trimmel.