RC Strasbourg Alsace played for the first time since Emanuel Emegha’s (22) move to Chelsea was confirmed. The Dutchman wasn’t even on the pitch on Sunday as Le Racing beat Le Havre AC 1-0 at the Meinau thanks to a late Joaquin Panichelli penalty. 

However, Emegha, who had been handed the captain’s earlier in the summer following the departure of Habib Diarra, was the subject of a critical banner from the Strasbourg fans during the match. “Emegha, pawn of BlueCo, after changing your shirt, give back your armband,” read the banner, unfurled by the ultras behind the goal.

The reaction from the fans drew stern criticism from Liam Rosenior post-match. He said that he was “disappointed” by the fans’ behaviour, whilst he also revealed that his captain was “devastated”. 

Whilst Emegha’s move to fellow BlueCo-owned club Chelsea was confirmed last week, he will not make the switch to Stamford Bridge until next season. Strasbourg fans’ ire is deep-rooted and linked to their opposition to multi-club ownership.

A former Chelsea player, Diego Moreira, has leapt to the defence of his teammate. “I find it a shame […] his first season here was difficult, but in his second, he showed the fans what he could do. The fans were very happy with him, too. It is also thanks to him that we qualified for the Europa Conference League. He played through injuries, too. He is a fighter,” said Moreira.

He continued, “I don’t know why they want him to leave straight away. Okay, he has signed for Chelsea, but he is still here; he fights for the team, and he is the club captain. You can’t go in on him.”