Tense end of evening in Liège. A few moments after Standard’s defeat at home against OH Louvain this Friday in the Jupiler Pro League (0-1), Thomas Henry, the French striker of Rouches, roughly cropped one of his team’s supporters in front of the DAZN Belgium cameras.
By letting him know his dissatisfaction, the latter made the center forward come out of his hinges: “We’re rubbish, there’s no problem,” he admitted. “On the other hand, speak to me with respect because I am a man like you. Talk to me the same way when I’m in the street, because there we’re in a stadium, you’re being smart! “, he yelled, completely interrupting the interview with his teammate, goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo, who was standing nearby and tried to intervene, in vain.
Thomas Henry’s rant apparently had the merit of calming the angry spectator, quite sheepish after the pressure attack from the former Hellas Verona striker. Particularly relayed on social networks this Saturday, the images were filmed all day in Belgium, pushing the Standard player to speak out to explain himself on Instagram.
“Don’t hide behind freedom of expression”
“I have always interacted with a lot of supporters since these first 6 months when I was asked,” he said. “I always advocate constructive dialogue and everything went very well with many of you. Despite the general frustration, I always try to be as approachable as possible, especially with the younger ones asking for photos or autographs. And I will continue to be so whatever happens,” pointed out the native of Argenteuil (Val-d’Oise), returning to Belgium this summer four years after his departure from Louvain.
“That you are disappointed by the content and the results of the club, we understand it well,” recalled Henry, while Standard occupies 6th place in the regular phase ranking. “You also have the right to tell us and make us hear criticism about many things. »
“On the other hand, there is a limit to everything,” criticized the attacker. “Don’t hide behind freedom of expression when it suits you. From the moment you exceed the limit, insult, provoke, threaten a player, father in front of children or even his family, do not be surprised by the reaction,” he concluded, wishing to keep “a positive atmosphere to finally put the club back where it should be.”
