Chelsea striker booed by Strasbourg ultras as Behdad Eghbali watches furious confrontation

Behdad Eghbali was in attendance at the Stade de la Meinau on Thursday night as Rayo Vallecano knocked Strasbourg out of the UEFA Conference League.

Emmanuel Emegha showed his true colours when he was confronted by supporters following Strasbourg’s defeat to Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Conference League semi-final. Alemão fired the Spanish outfit to a 1-0 win over the BlueCo -owned club at the Stade de la Meinau on Thursday night, securing a 2-0 aggregate victory.

After the game, Emegha, who will join Chelsea in the summer, led the Strasbourg squad over to the ultras, hoping to mark the end of the club’s first European campaign in nearly 20 years in style. Despite having made history, the players were not given a warm welcome, with sections of the stand whistling.

Diego Moreira, who the Blues sold to the French outfit in August 2024, and Ben Chilwell, who joined on a free transfer last summer, were bemused by the reaction and gestured to the crowd to calm down. Fulfilling his role as captain, Emegha, who’s currently nursing an injury, emerged from the pack and quickly intervened.

The 23-year-old striker walked towards the stand and also gestured to the crowd to calm down. Suddenly, Emegha was stopped in his tracks by Moreira, who stormed off a few moments later after his attempts to stop the to-be Chelsea striker proved unsuccessful.

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Showing his true colours, Emegha, who’s previously been confronted by supporters for his decision to join the Blues, faced the music and appeared to take accountability for his actions. The Netherlands international seemed to want the fans to recognise the efforts of his teammates, opening his arms as if he were trying to platform them.

Then, Emegha, along with the supporters in the stands, began applauding the team. A few hours later, the Dutchman set the record straight in a statement uploaded to his Instagram story.

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Emegha wrote: “Painful night. Not the ending we wanted, because we dreamed of reaching the Final. My only thought at the end was for my teammates to be respected for the effort they gave for Strasbourg.

“People can be unhappy with me – I understand the disappointment and frustration, no problem. But this team does not deserve that treatment after giving everything for the badge and reaching the semifinals for the first time.

“I am proud of this team and of the journey we made together in Europe. In the end, we win together, we lose together, and we keep respect for each other. Thank you to everyone who supported us throughout this run.”

Chelsea announced the signing of Emegha from Strasbourg less than two weeks after the summer transfer window slammed shut. The striker, who had only recently been named captain by Liam Rosenior, posed for a picture outside Cobham training ground, holding up the Blues shirt.

“I don’t want there to be rumours or things that can distract my team or me, so I think this is the best decision to bring it out right now,” said Emegha. “Everyone knows my personality.

“It is not because everyone knows that I am leaving that I will change my behaviour or my work ethic. I am a guy who gives 100 per cent every day for the team and for the club, and I will continue doing this until the end.”

Emegha has been heavily scrutinised by Strasbourg supporters ever since as they fight for independence from BlueCo.