Football
ESPN staff 8y

Lazio call Keita Balde Diao 'arrogant' in escalating row over knee injury

Lazio have accused forward Keita Balde Diao of making "aggressive" and "offensive" comments after he hit back at coach Simone Inzaghi in a row over an injury.

Keita voiced unhappiness with Inzaghi after the former Italy international questioned his attitude -- but a club statement said he was being "unprofessional" and "arrogant" and was aiming to "facilitate a transfer."

Speaking to reporters on Friday, the coach said Keita had asked to be left out of the squad for Sunday's match at Atalanta after taking a knock to the knee.

He went on to claim that tests had shown no sign of a problem and said he was "stunned" by the forward's behaviour.

But Keita, 21, hit back on Facebook, writing: "I won't let anyone doubt my word.

"I have a knee problem and, after a medical check-up for a nasty knock, I was told not to risk it against Atalanta.

"It's strange that someone who was a player [Inzaghe] and felt these sensations doesn't understand.

"I will always give my best for this club, to the last second of my adventure and my contract."

Lazio said they considered his behaviour "unacceptable" and that he had "decided to desert the first game with the excuse of a left knee injury."

The statement said: "The player Keita Balde Diao has also released a series of incredibly aggressive and heavily offensive statements against SS Lazio and its top executives.

"All the evidence points to facilitating a transfer to guarantee the interests of potential buyers and intermediaries to the expense of Lazio and its fans."

The statement accused him of "an act of unprofessionalism" and "a gesture of mistrust and arrogance towards his teammates."

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