Belgian coach Tedesco ‘shocked’ after goalkeeper Courtois leaves squad amid captaincy row

Brussels, June 19 /BNA /: The Belgian press dubbed it “Courtoisgate”. New Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco said it came as a shock to find out.

Thibaut Courtois’ decision to leave Belgium’s training camp ahead of a European Championship qualifier for not being selected as captain plunged the team into crisis on Monday, just six months after their pitiful World Cup exit.

Courtois has abruptly left camp and will miss the game in Estonia on Tuesday apparently because he doesn’t feel recognized for his true value, according to the Associated Press.

“I am still amazed and shocked, of course, because we didn’t expect something like this to happen,” Tedesco said in Estonia.

Courtois, who played in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Austria, was disappointed with Tedesco’s handling of the captaincy.

In the absence of midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who was injured in the Champions League final, Tedesco handed the armband to striker Romelu Lukaku, who responded by scoring the equalizing goal for Belgium.

insignificant