Brighton star Joao Pedro missing from Premier League clash with Liverpool 'due to an altercation with his TEAM-MATE'
Brighton star Joao Pedro was reportedly absent from the club's 3-2 win against Liverpool after getting into an alleged altercation with a team-mate during training, according to reports.
The Seagulls hosted the Premier League champions amid their post-title handover, with the hosts claiming home victory which could keep European football in play for next season.
But the home side were forced to claim the win without Pedro, who was set to return to the squad after serving a three-game suspension for a red card picked up against Brentford in April.
Pedro was judged to have flung his arm recklessly at Nathan Collins, striking him on the face and leaving him floored on the turf.
The 23-year-old was handed a straight red card - which was later checked by VAR, who deemed their review inconclusive and left the decision with referee Tim Robinson - and put the visitors down to 10 men to see out the 4-2 away defeat.
But although Pedro had missed the previous Premier League tie against Wolves, his absence from the squad on Monday came as more of a surprise.
Head coach Fabian Hurzeler described the gap in his squad as being due to 'private reasons' after full-time.
'(Tariq Lamptey) has an injury with his knee, and Joao had private reasons why he was not available,' Hurzeler said when pressed. 'So, let's see how it is going to continue.'
As per the Athletic, Pedro is believed to have got into an altercation with Jan Paul van Hecke in the build-up to facing off with Wolves on May 10.
But while Pedro was sidelined, Van Hecke was available to feature for the full 90 minutes both against Wolves and at the Amex against Liverpool on Monday evening.
Brighton declined to comment on the allegations when contacted by the outlet.
Mail Sport have contacted Brighton for further comment.
Jan Paul van Hecke took part in both Monday's clash with Liverpool and the earlier Wolves tie
Pedro is the club's joint top scorer this season in the domestic top flight, with 10 goals to his name, and contracted to the club until 2028.
Van Hecke - who was his club's Players' Player of the Season - previously heaped compliments on his team-mate's penalty-taking abilities in March.
'I would put it all on him,' Van Hecke said after beating Fulham 2-1 when asked if there was anyone else he would want to take a crucial penalty.
The 24-year-old then went on to compare him favourably to Mohamed Salah.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
28 minutes ago
- BBC News
Pressley named Dundee head coach after Brentford exit
Dundee have appointed Steven Pressley as the Scottish Premiership club's new head 51-year-old former Scotland centre-half last week left Brentford, where he had spent four years as the Premier League club's head of individual player development, saying it was time for a "new challenge".Dundee say Pressley "emerged as the standout candidate" after "a thorough and comprehensive search process" to find a successor to Tony Docherty, who was sacked despite leading his side to safety from relegation on the final day of the season. More to follow.
Daily Mirror
33 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Wirtz's team-mate delivers message to delight Liverpool fans amid transfer talks
Florian Wirtz's Germany colleague Niclas Fullkrug has given the Bayer Leverkusen playmaker huge plaudits as Liverpool continue to push for a move in the summer transfer window Florian Wirtz's Germany team-mate Niclas Fullkrug claims the playmaker would "definitely take Liverpool forward" - but admitted he had no update on his future despite being in camp with the Bayer Leverkusen star. The German star has continued to blossom at the BayArena and is now heavily linked with a switch to the Reds, who have leapt ahead of Bayern Munich and Manchester City in the race for his signature. An offer of £109million has been knocked back by the Bundesliga outfit, who want closer to their £125m valuation. Arne Slot is ready to attack the transfer market after barely acting in his first summer before landing the Premier League title at the first attempt. Fullkrug has played on the international stage with Wirtz, allowing him to see his talent close up, and the West Ham striker believes he would be a huge addition to the Liverpool squad, but had no updates on his situation. He said: "First of all, nothing official has been decided yet and I do not know whether that will be the case. That means you won't get any new information from me! But of course I talk to Flo a lot and we've talked about it a bit." The Hammers frontman then added: "Basically, Flo is simply an outstanding player with special qualities. I think it doesn't matter what league, as soon as you give Flo a metre too much it becomes dangerous and he can use these spaces very well. "He is also very versatile and he can use these spaces with a dribble, with a pass or even with a finish because he is so flexible. No matter where he goes I think he would work very well and even if it was Liverpool then I am sure that he would definitely bring this team forward." Liverpool look set to break the British transfer record if they do want to land Wirtz. His fee would likely have to eclipse Chelsea, who paid around £115m for Moises Caicedo in 2023. The Reds' biggest transfer in their history was their capture of Darwin Nunez back in 2022, which could yet reach £84m. There is a willingness from Leverkusen to sell Wirtz early in the window and they would be open to Liverpool including two players in any future offer. The duo being discussed are attacking midfielder Harvey Elliott and also centre-back Jarell Quansah.
Daily Mirror
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Marcus Rashford spotted 'double wristing' with half a million pound watches
As Marcus Rashford ponders his future, the Manchester United star enjoyed some downtime and wore two watches with an eye-watering value while sitting on a jetski in Saint-Tropez Football star Marcus Rashford showed off his style by 'double wristing' as he sported a mega-money watch on each arm. The trendy Manchester United star turned heads in a striking Louis Vuitton outfit in Saint-Tropez, but it wasn't just his clothes that caught the eye. As he soaked up the sun on the French Riviera, people were quick to notice he was sporting two timepieces said to be worth a combined £500,000. He looked smart with the flashy gold Rolex, with another from Patek Philippe - one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world - sitting on his other wrist. Rashford, who spent the final five months of the Premier League season on loan at Aston Villa, has been enjoying a luxurious getaway with a group of friends and a mysterious blonde beauty. The England forward was seen holding what appeared to be a Snus tobacco pouch, a popular smokeless product among fellow footballers. His look was completed with Nike Ben & Jerry's x Dunk Low SB trainers but it wasn't long before they all came off as he cooled off. Taking a dip in the sea, the Old Trafford goal-getter zipped across the waves on a jet ski as he made the most of his downtime before the next big season. Let's hope his watches were super secure as he tested it out while fully clothed! Rashford has plenty to ponder on the get-away with his future up in the air. Could he be set for more sun in Spain? Barcelona continue to be linked with the star, who appears to be on his way out of United after another challenging season for player and for club. With the Premier League season now over, clubs have already begun plotting their moves for the summer transfer window. While there are always many different plots unfolding at the same time, few will have as much focus as the situation around Rashford - but where will he end up? The forward spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Villa after being banished to the Manchester United wilderness by Ruben Amorim. Overall, the United academy graduate made a good impression at Villa Park, contributing four goals and six assists across all competitions, which earned him a recall to the England squad. The forward's next chapter is currently unknown, but with Amorim showing no signs that he has changed his stance, it is expected the Old Trafford exit door will be propped open for Rashford. And after defeat to the Red Devils on the final weekend, the Villans failed to qualify for the Champions League. That would appear to kill any hope of Rashford being persuaded to sign permanently at Villa Park. Marking the end of his first spell away from United, Rashford nevertheless expressed his gratitude to the club. He said on social media: "Just a message of thanks to everyone here at Villa for what has (injury aside) been an incredible few months for me. "It is a really special club and I appreciated the way Villa fans embraced me with open arms from 1st minute on the pitch. Manager, team, and coaching staff have all been brilliant. I know it is a huge disappointment not to have made the Champions League place which everyone worked so hard all season for but I know this club and team will come back stronger."
