PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ismael Saibari was axed from the team sheet for their Champions League match against Arsenal in London – not due to injury, but as a punishment for repeatedly showing up late, manager Peter Bosz revealed.
Saibari, 23, who started in the first leg of the fixture, did not even make it to sit on the bench during the 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium. The Moroccan international reportedly turned up late – again – pushing Bosz to his limit.
“Not for the first time, not even for the fifth time. That’s where it ends. I was done with it and left him in the hotel,” Bosz declared in the post-match press conference.
The PSV boss had initially planned for Saibari to feature in the lineup, but opted for Jerdy Schouten, Guus Til, and Isaac Babadi to form the midfield trio instead.
“We have several appointments on one day and then he does not show up. He has now seen a wonderful match pass him by. Then you hope that he learns from it,” Bosz added.
Despite the setback, Saibari is expected to return to the squad for their Eredivisie game against RKC Waalwijk on Saturday.
Bosz is very close to his players and treats them as more than just athletes. “Ismael needs help with this,” the coach said. “These are in fact just my children and you try to treat them fairly. For tonight, I just had to punish this.”
