Barnsley FC head coach Valerien Ismael slams 'disrespectful' Reading

BARNSLEY head coach Valerien Ismael accused Reading’s coaching staff of being ‘disrespectful’ following comments he claimed they made in the hosts direction in Friday evening’s tense 1-1 draw at Oakwell.
Valerien Ismael.Valerien Ismael.
Valerien Ismael.

On an evening when tensions were high, Ismael felt that the Royals staff ‘crossed the line' in terms of their behaviour and was critical after the game between these two play-off rivals.

He said: “I can understand we are crashing the party for a lot of big teams who want to go in the play-offs. Normally, it is a surprise for everyone we are there.

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“With the pressure on Reading we felt their pressure, but do not be disrespectful. But it was unacceptable what was going on in thr game on the bench.

“They (some Reading staff) spoke with us and the referee in another language (Reading manager Veljko Paunovic is Serbian) and we did not understand all the time.

“I understood a little bit of the language and it was a disrespectful word and unacceptable. I never say something like that.

“With the pressure on Reading, I can understand the emotion and we need the emotion. But they crossed the line.

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“We are a professional team and try to fight for the points and stay fair on the pitch and on the side and sometimes, we have to say our mind to say no - this is too far. It was disrespectful."

Offering his take on the rumpus and claims of disrespect from Ismael, Paunovic said: “This is how I say it; what happens on the sidelines, stays on the sidelines. I will keep with that.

“That is not true (disrespect claim)...They were involved and I was disappointed to hear that type of comment from a colleague. I don’t care what he was saying.”

Reading took the lead on 34 minutes after a mistake from Michael Sollbauer allowed Ovie Ejaria to surge clear and open the scoring.

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Barnsley - who brought on Daryl Dike and Carlton Morris at the break - were better in the second half and levelled when ex-Reds captain Andy Yiadom tugged Callum Styles and Alex Mowatt levelled from the spot.

Reading spurned a golden chance to win it with a contender for miss of the season from Lucas Joao, while Dike saw a late goal ruled out for a perceived infringement from a corner, with Ismael feeling that it was a legitimate goal.

On his take on the game, Ismael added: “We have to be happy. It was a fight and tough game and both teams wanted to win.

"It was a surprise to see the way Reading played. We know they are a possession based team and it was clear to see from their long ball that they did not try to have the build-up (tonight).

“But I think we controlled a lot of things. It was a mistake for the goal and at half-time, we made some changes and it was much better. One change was due to a yellow card with Cauley. (Woodrow).”

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