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Neill dedicates victory to Metsu

Following the Cheetahs’ 2-0 victory over Ajman in Saturday evening’s late kick-off, Australian skipper Neill tweeted in the early hours of Sunday morning: “2-0 win v Ajman. Great character, good fighting spirit. The win is for Bruno!!

“So sad to find out Bruno Metsu our manager has been diagnosed with stomach cancer, best wishes coach, get well!!”

This disclosure on the Twittersphere is uneasily set against the backdrop of a blanket ban among club officials, with Wasl’s representatives understandably unwilling to divulge the exact nature of Metsu’s health problem as openly as Neill’s tweet. It had previously been reported that Metsu had been admitted to the American Hospital here in the emirate complaining of abdominal pains amid speculation that he was suffering from either a digestive disorder like ulcerative colitis or colon cancer.

The club refused to confirm or deny those claims, believing it inappropriate to comment on what is essentially a private matter at a sensitive time, and that perspective won’t change in the wake of Neill’s online assertion. A club spokesperson said on Sunday afternoon: “We have already given our stance and it remains the same. We will not comment on the nature of the illness.”

The source added that the only information that would be disclosed to the local media would revolve around a prospective timeframe as to Metsu’s recovery after further discussions with his doctor. He added that the 58-year-old Frenchman was visited in hospital by the club’s chief executive officer (CEO) and vice-chairman on Friday, when he appeared to be in good spirits.

Metsu seemingly had been taken by surprise by the sheer level of support he has received since news of his ill health first broke, with his players, Wasl fans and even opposing club managers and supporters rallying round in unison.

The faithful at Al Nasr, who are Wasl’s fierce rivals along the Oud Metha Road, unfurled a banner which simply read: ‘Get well soon Metsu’ in blue and yellow lettering – the respective colours of the two clubs – before their 6-1 rout of Kalba on Saturday afternoon.

The Blue Wave’s boss Walter Zenga said of the situation in his post-match press conference: “It’s horrible to see that a guy like Bruno is in trouble with his health and I wish all of the best to him and his family. “I’m praying that he can come back soon, I send to him a big hug and I hope that – Insha’Allah – everything is going to be okay.”

alex@khaleejtimes.com