‘Espanyol players not fit to wear shirt’

Javi Lopez launched a scathing attack on his Espanyol teammates after Friday’s 4-0 hammering by Las Palmas in La Liga as “we’re not fit to wear this shirt”.

A capitulation from the end of the first half at Gran Canaria condemned Espanyol to a fifth match without a win and left them just five points afloat, having played a game more than their relegation rivals – a state of affairs that prompted Lopez to blast the squad for “not being deserving” of their jersey.

“In the second half, we showed we weren’t fit to this shirt. Apologies are no longer enough,” the defender said after the game.

“We don’t deserve this shirt [playing like this], neither can we concede four goals when we’re in a relegation battle.

“Their first goal at the end of the first half and second at the beginning of the restart are things that can’t be allowed.

“We have three finals left. Staying up is possible, but we won’t if we carry on playing like this.

“We didn’t want to get into this situation,n but we have to accept it as professionals and as men. It’s been a tough season on all levels.

“We’re united and we have to move forward, although I’ve already lost a final [referring to his one-match ban].

“If we want to keep this historical team in La Liga, we have to win [our next three games].

“We can’t let ourselves go down. It’s our duty and responsibility [to stay up].”

Tags Javi Lopez
La Liga - Club News