Striker left OUT of Champions League game because he couldn't sit in his favourite seat on team bus

Club Brugge's Emmanuel Dennis dropped for Champions League game after bus seat row. [Photo courtesy]

A squabble over seating arrangements on the team bus cost Club Brugge forward Emmanuel Dennis a place in the squad for Tuesday's Champions League clash at Borussia Dortmund, Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws reported.

The 23-year-old Nigerian stormed off the bus after being told he was not allowed to sit in his preferred seat due to social distancing measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the report said, and he did not make the trip to Germany.

Brugge manager Philippe Clement said in his pre-match news conference on Monday that Dennis was fit but unavailable for selection due to disciplinary reasons.

"He didn't follow the club's rules, that's all I want to say about that... I prefer to concentrate on the players who are available to me," Clement added.

Dennis, who joined Brugge in 2017, scored twice in their 2-2 Champions League draw at Real Madrid last season.

He also netted in the Belgian club's victory over Zenit St Petersburg in their opening group match in Europe's elite club competition this season.

Brugge are third in Group F with four points from three games, behind leaders Dortmund and Italy's Lazio.

By AFP 6 hrs ago
Football
Arsenal, Liverpool fight to keep Premier League race alive
Athletics
World hammer silver medallist Kassanavoid eyes glory at Nyayo on Saturday
Athletics
Eldoret City Marathon to have a bigger 10km fun run
Athletics
'School boy' Tebogo promises to teach his seniors a lesson at Kip Keino Classic