HIBAPRESS – Sports
Strasbourg of France achieved an important victory over their host Rijeka of Croatia with a score of 2-1 on Thursday evening, in the first leg of the round of 16 of the European Conference League.
Scuffle between Barco and El Mourabit after the match
The match witnessed a scuffle between the Argentine Valentin Barco, a Strasbourg player, and his Moroccan teammate Samir El Mourabit immediately after the final whistle. A heated verbal altercation broke out before Barco grabbed El Mourabit's arm, which required the intervention of many players, including Guilla Doué, to break up the clash.
The duo of the Argentinian Barco and the Moroccan El Mourabit, a distinctive duo that has proven itself in the Strasbourg midfield since the beginning of the season..
But, yesterday things were about to get out of control if it wasn't for the intervention of the captain and their teammates! pic.twitter.com/hPu3BhpsmB
— 𝑨𝑩𝑶𝑼𝑱𝑨𝑫 𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒔 (@AbouJadTalks) March 13, 2026
Reactions of the coaching staff
When asked about the incident at the press conference after the match, coach Gary O'Neil said: "I would have preferred the fight to stay in the locker room away from everyone's eyes. We need calm players, but also enthusiastic at times."
The English coach did not clarify the reason for the scuffle, contenting himself with emphasizing the importance of discipline and focus.
Players justify the incident
For his part, striker Martial Godo attributed the cause of the scuffle to the great tension during the match, confirming: "We want to win every match, but we are one family. Barco and Samir have shown great understanding on the field since the beginning of the season, and we are now focusing on the next match."
Upcoming match in the French League
Strasbourg is preparing to host its opponent Paris FC next Sunday evening within the framework of the French League competitions, in a match that is expected to witness the team's focus on psychological stability after the events of the Rijeka match.
