Second-tier Patro-Eisden beat Royal Charleroi S.C. in the Croky Cup’s Round of 32 last night with a consummate 4-1 home victory. However, while the result was something of a statement piece in front of a boisterous crowd, Charleroi’s manager Rik De Mil highlighted the hosts’ gamesmanship.
According to De Mil, while the side from the Challenger Pro League earned their win on the pitch, antics off it were duly noted:
“It is important to note that this is no excuse for our performance tonight. Patro Eisden’s victory was deserved. 100 percent. But there was something to be said about the state of our dressing room before the match.”
The winning coach Stijn Stijnen did not immediately respond to the statement of his opposite number, but did say the following:
“It is up to us to be annoying. We do not want our opponent to find us pleasant. We work within our possibilities and have done everything we can.”
After this, both managers answered sporting questions, yet as the home side’s coach wrapped up his media duties, De Mil revealed more information to a handful of journalists that still remained in the room. Talking of the skulduggery behind the scenes, the Charleroi boss said:
“We were in a dressing room where it was 30 degrees. My staff had to sit on the floor, because there was no room. Players who wanted to pray had to do so in the toilet. Afterwards, the toilets were even locked. If you want to be a big club, you have to behave like a big club.
“If, like Patro Eisden, you have the ambition to play in the first division, then try to be like a first division team. And again. This is no excuse. Even as a loser, I want to be a gentleman. It’s all about respect before and during the match. Things can get heated during the match.”
