RIERA WILL BE DISCIPLINED

Galatasaray manager Fatih Terim has confirmed that both Albert Riera and Felipe Melo will be punished by the club accordingly. Both the players were involved in a pre-match altercation just before the match against Manisaspor.

The pair were seen fighting each other just ahead of the match during the training, and they were subsequently omitted from the squad. Now, Fatih Terim has confirmed that both the players will be receiving fines after an investigation will be conducted into the training ground incident. The Turkish club have a comfortable nine-point lead over second placed Fenerbahçe, but will be hoping that such incidents do not come in the way of them lifting the title this season.

It is thought that both Felipe Melo and Albert Riera were involved in an argument, which resulted in the Brazilian players punching the former Liverpool winger interface. As a result, Albert Riera now has to be hospitalised after getting his eyes split up by the blow. Terim also said that the future of both Riera and Felipe Melo is now in the hands of the board, who will decide whether to stick with the players or to leave them out of the remaining matches in the title race.

“To prevent any further misinformation from being reported, Melo punched Riera and as a result, Riera’s eyebrow split open. That is all. In order to stop the speculation, I’m bringing clarity to the situation. Both players will be fined. The club has a code of conduct and there has been a physical altercation, so they will not be taken to our next match against Manisaspor. Whether or not they’ll carry on with us for our title bid, we’ll make a decision soon,” said Terim. Galatasaray have drawn two of their last five matches.