Rennes staff members have slammed Leicester City after revealing the "state" that the Foxes left their dressing room in following their Europa Conference League clash.
Leicester travelled to Roazhon Park for the second leg of their last 16 tie on Thursday night, carrying a 2-0 aggregate lead into the game. The two sides played out a thrilling match in northern France, with Leicester securing their passage to the quarter-finals despite a 2-1 defeat on the night.
The hosts went ahead after just eight minutes of the second leg when Benjamin Bourigeaud finishing from Martin Terrier's cross. But Leicester regained their two-goal aggregate advantage when Wesley Fofana, in his first game back since breaking his leg in August, headed in Ademola Lookman's corner.
Brendan Rodgers' men were made to sweat though in what was a frenetic match, with Rennes again closing the deficit when Flavien Tait firing in a low strike with 15 minutes remaining. Leicester defended heroically to secure the win, setting up a quarter-final clash with PSV Eindhoven.
But while they will be celebrating the win, matters off the pitch have left a sour taste in the mouth. That is because pictures have emerged of the "state" in which Leicester left their dressing room at Roazhon Park.
Rennes archivist @mattcharp has shared three images claiming to show the Foxes' changing area. Rubbish is strewn all over the floor, on the table in the centre of the room and on the benches underneath the shirt hangers.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Leicester be punished for the state they left their dressing room at Rennes in? Comment below.
Bottles of water, Lucozade and Coca Cola have also been left on the benches, rather than being thrown away, while bananas have been left uneaten. Rennes chiefs have slammed Leicester in the wake of the publication of the images, with manager Bruno Genesio blasting Rodgers' men.
“It is unworthy of a club that has been champion of England, I find it totally lamentable. I think we saw that once in Rennes and I think it was already an English club. The image of a club is on the pitch but also in the way you leave an opposing club. I can tell you that at Stade Rennais, we always make sure to leave a clean locker room," he told Ouest France.
Rennes chairman Jacques Delanoe was also left less than impressed by Leicester's actions. Delanoe compared the Foxes to their fellow Premier League sides and took aim at the notion of British fair play.
"It was going very well, they received us well in Leicester and we received them well in Rennes. Unfortunately, we had already had the opportunity in the past to taste the famous English fair play bitterly, here is once again proof that gentlemen are undoubtedly more on the side of Brittany than of Great Britain," he said.
Ironically, in the aftermath of the win, Rodgers had praised his Foxes side for their "character". He also hailed the younger members of his team, as Leicester continue to be hit by injuries.
“Our football in the game, especially in the first half, was nowhere near what I would expect. What we did show tonight was real character, especially with players missing and lots of young players tasting this level for the first time. It’s character building for them," he said.
