Spanish coach under fire after shirt-grabbing incident
The Spanish coach of Triestina, Pep Clotet, became visibly upset and grabbed his player, Raimonds Krollis, by the shirt. This reaction came after Krollis received a red card during the match against Giana Erminio, catching the attention of media outlets worldwide.
In Friday's Italian Serie C match, the 23-year-old forward Raimonds Krollis exited the field in the 33rd minute after being shown a red card. His early departure weakened Triestina, which is battling to remain in the league.
The 47-year-old Spanish coach, Pep Clotet, who assumed his role last month, did not conceal his frustration. He called Krollis over, seized him by the top of his shirt, and began shaking him. The coach's behaviour was captured on video and rapidly spread across social media.
Despite playing with a reduced team for more than an hour, Triestina was close to earning a valuable point. However, in the 87th minute, their opponents scored, clinching a 1–0 victory. This marks the team's ninth loss in 14 matches this season.
The incident involving Clotet and Krollis attracted attention not only from Italian media but also from international outlets, including those in England and America. Following the match, the coach remained unrepentant, asserting that his reaction was justified and that he no longer saw a future for Krollis at Triestina.
Fans demand the coach's dismissal
The coach's reaction did not sit well with many online users, who are calling for his dismissal. Numerous commentators on social media have voiced their support for the shaken forward.
The coach should be fined and disqualified — wrote one online user commenting on the video on the X platform.
Maximum respect for Krollis, a truly great example, whereas the coach deserves immediate dismissal and the end of his career — wrote another.
There are also those who did not find the Spanish coach's behaviour to be problematic. "I think he deserves a round of applause for not hitting or slapping him, just grabbing him: I'd have kicked his backside," stated one user.
