Brugge's Reason For Crossing Out Emmanuel Dennis From The Squad, Disputes Over Seats On The Bus

Emmanuel Dennis (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The dispute over the seat rules on the team bus has kept Club Brugge striker Emmanuel Dennis out of the squad for today's Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund, reported Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws as quoted by Reuters.

The 23-year-old Nigerian player got off his team bus after not being allowed to sit in the seat of his choice given social distancing rules following the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, this player did not come to Germany to face Dortmund.

Brugge manager Philippe Clement told his pre-match press conference the day before that Dennis was actually fit but was not in the squad due to disciplinary reasons.

"He doesn't follow the club's rules, that's all I want to say about that ... I prefer to concentrate on the available players," added Clement as quoted by Antara, Wednesday.

Dennis, who joined Brugge in 2017, scored twice in last season's 2-2 draw against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

He also scored as the Belgian club beat Zenit St Petersburg in their opener group match at Europe's elite club competition this season.

Brugge himself lost 0-3 in the match against Dortmund last night. Brugge are still third in Group F after picking up four points from four matches, behind leaders Dortmund (9) and Lazio (8) who are second.