Barca exile Umtiti confronted by fans
Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti hasn't played a minute of first-team football this season.
The out-of-favour centre back has been exiled by the club and was even jeered by Blaugrana supporters during a pre-season friendly.
The reason for the disdain felt for Umtiti appears to come from his decision to stay at the club in the summer and see out his contract which runs until 2023.
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Fans have singled out that move as being one of the reasons club legend Lionel Messi left in the summer, as it meant Barca could not afford to keep their number ten.
The hierarchy at Camp Nou had told Umtiti he could leave for free but, after speaking with re-elected president Joan Laporta, decided to give him a second chance to make a name for himself in the blue and garnet colours.
But despite the team struggling in both La Liga and the Champions League this season, and with new head coach Xavi now at the helm, it appears Umtiti's decision to stay in Catalonia was a mistake.
Barca fans confront Umtiti
And now fans have confronted the French international after they mobbed and blocked his car in Barcelona.
As he drove along a Barcelona street, a small group of fans blocked his car, with one climbing on top of the bonnet.
Footage shows Umtiti attempt to disperse the group by sounding his horn. But the fans ignored his warnings and continued to laugh and shout.
The player then revved his engine and made short moves forward before briefly accelerating away.
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[/center]❗️Earlier today, some fans came in front Umtiti’s car and didn’t let him drive past. The player honked, but that didn’t make a difference. Later, he came out & said, “Come here. Do you pay for the car? Do you know what respect is?”. @laSextaTV #FCB 🇫🇷🚗 pic.twitter.com/0VZrm4XcKP
— Reshad Rahman ✆ (@ReshadRahman_) December 1, 2021
However, he then stopped his car and got out, walking towards his tormentors and ready to confront them.
After bizarrely stopping for a quick selfie with one of the fans, Umtiti then approached the one who had jumped on his car and asked him: "Do you know what it means? Do you know the word respect?"
He then returned to his car only to be followed by two of the fans who attempted to speak to Umtiti despite his window being up.
Eventually, he drove away, but the fans that had stopped him showed little remorse.
Time for Umtiti to leave
Umtiti joined Barcelona from Lyon in 2016 for €25 million, but he never recaptured the form that he showed in France.
He may now be looking to leave Barca after this latest incident, with the club willing to listen to offers for the player in the hope to build some transfer funds.
