Strasbourg legend Dimitri Liénard condemns fans for booing Dutch-Nigerian forward Emmanuel Emegha

Strasbourg legend Dimitri Liénard has criticized the club fans for booing Dutch international of Nigeria descent Emmanuel Emegha following his switch to Chelsea.

Emegha penned a seven-year contract with the reigning FIFA Club World Cup champions last week and is expected to join the Blues next summer.

The 22-year-old will officially become a full-fledged Chelsea player in 2026 as he is set to continue with French outfit Strasbourg until the end of the current campaign.

In a high-stake clash on Sunday, Strasbourg fans staged a strong protest, expressing their disappointment in the attacker over his move to Chelsea.

However, the former Strasbourg captain condemned the fans for their action against Emegha, while throwing support for him.

“I don’t understand this. Those who don’t like it should go and support Haguenau, Colmar, or Schiltigheim. The family was attacked: the captain, the president. Emegha has always given everything. But this came from a minority – they were whistled by the rest of the stadium.“

“This must be dealt with internally. We look like donkeys, like clowns. As a former captain, I would tell my players not to go and greet them anymore. What they did is an absolute disgrace. Keller could have left with his millions, but he is there every weekend. The team is back in Europe and finished 7th last season.”

Meanwhile, Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenior also criticized the behaviour post-match, branding the attacks on Emegha “unjustified”.

Emegha was one of Strasbourg’s outstanding performers last season, netting 14 goals and providing 3 assists in 27 appearances, helping Le Racing secure a seventh-place finish in the league.