#BEL 🇧🇪 boss Roberto Martinez has ‘rarely been so angry and cynical’ after launching defence of his team amid ‘fake news’ disruptions

PASSION 

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez calls Kevin De Bruyne and Jan Vertonghen’s dressing room bust-up ‘fake news’ and launches passionate defence of ‘Golden Generation legacy’

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has ‘rarely been so angry and cynical’ after launching a defence of his team amid ‘fake news’ disruptions.

The Red Devils have so far failed to live up to their No.2 FIFA ranking at the Qatar World Cup, narrowly beating Canada 1-0 in a poor performance, before losing 2-0 against Morocco.

That leaves the team needing a win in their final Group F game against Croatia, with any other result bringing a shock early exit.

The loss to Morocco saw riots back home in Brussels, while French outlet L’Equipe released a story claiming that former Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen had a dressing room bust-up with Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard in the aftermath, with Romelu Lukaku acting as peacemaker.

Hazard and his Real Madrid teammate Thibaut Courtois were forced to deny the claims in a preceding press conference, and now manager Martinez has had to do the same.

Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad said the Spaniard has ‘rarely been so angry and cynical’ as he responded to their questions about the story of a dressing room fight.

“That storm came up from outside,” the former Everton boss said. “There is apparently a greater desire to find negative news than unite the country.

Asked if he was specifically referring to L’Equipe, he continued: “They did a good job in France, yes.

“They launched a story there that has also begun to dominate the Belgian media.

“Apparently there are outlets in Belgium that like to jump on fake news. Surprising, but it’s a lesson learned.

“The group now realises that before the tournament they listened too much to outside noise. The less you do that, the better.”

Martinez then took aim at the Belgian media for highlighting the French story, saying those who backed it chose their career over supporting their country.

“We are clearly alone here,” he said. “Rather than enjoying the best generation of Belgian players ever, division is sown.

“We are now focusing on how we want to play football and hopefully the fans – the real fans – of the Red Devils can still enjoy the process.

“Whoever invented it, scored a nice goal for himself, but an own goal for Belgium. I would do the same if I were a journalist. Then I would like to win my own World Cup instead of supporting my country. That will then be adopted.

“If I was in that position and could weaken a team or even push it out of the tournament, that’s genius. Wherever it comes from… I have other things to do with my team.”

Belgium, who reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, now find themselves in a position where it’s win or bust against finalists from that same tournament – Croatia.

There’s undoubtedly question marks about whether the ‘Golden Generation’ has reached the end of the road, but Martinez is proud, nonetheless.

“In the first two games we were scared to lose, we didn’t enjoy this World Cup,” he said.

“But tomorrow against Croatia it’s easy. A draw means the end and so we have to win. Those are the best matches to have fun.

“Whatever happens, these players deserve admiration and respect. I’ve been working with a lot of those guys since 2016 and they’re giving their careers for the national team.

“They won bronze at the 2018 World Cup, were number one on the FIFA ranking for four years and there are already 21 who have their A licence as a coach.

“They will continue to influence Belgian football for the next 20 years. This is the Golden Generation and this is their legacy.

“As a coach I couldn’t be more proud of them. Belgian football is no longer the same thanks to them.”