Online Reporter
Brighton star Joao Pedro was 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. —Daily Mail.
