Remi Garde, a coach in the Major League Soccer, has weighed into the ongoing furore between his player Saphir Taider and the Algerian national team gaffer Rabah Madjer.
Taider and coach Madjer had a rift in camp when the latter ordered a team doctor to install a GPS beneath Taider’s training vest without the player’s knowledge.
Explaining reason for his move, Rabah said he’d heard tales about the Montreal Impact star’s habit of not giving in his best during training sessions and wanted to ascertain the claim.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“I heard some rumours about him but I wanted to see his behavior and performance during training. He had physical problems and he was out of shape, so I decided with the EN doctor to get him a GPS vest without him knowing so that he can shows us what he can do during training and I’ll let you guess how were the results,”[/perfectpullquote]
the former African footballer of the year said of his assessment of the 26-year-old central midfielder, saying it was one of many reasons why he overlooked him for the test games against Tanzania and Kenya.
The comments from the Desert Foxes’ tactician didn’t sit well with the former Southampton man who understandably took umbrage over the revelation.
He said: [perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“In all sincerity, I cannot quite understand how someone can claim that my fitness was not good … So, we faked tests in Sidi Moussa? I was selected to the MLS team, which is why I do not understand the coach’s comments about my physical condition. Frankly, I would have preferred to hear something else, but hey!”[/perfectpullquote]
With the recent exchanges between player and coach, it’s unclear whether the Canada-based star will ever be included again in Majder’s plans for the World Cup.
Taider’s exclusion is being perceived as indirect caricaturing of the US league and Remi Garde, Impact’s gaffer, begs to differ.
“Sapphire went on a preparation while he was in a season in Bologna and he did a very good preparation. Personally, I think he is physically fit and well,” he states.
The player has been given some days of rest to ensure his quick recuperation after long hours of travel.
