Chelsea have been hit with concerning news as RC Strasbourg have handed striker Emmanuel Emegha a one-match ban after determining the player failed to uphold the club's standards and expectations.
The 22-year-old Dutch forward, who has already agreed terms to join Chelsea next summer, will sit out Saturday's Ligue 1 encounter away to Toulouse as a result of the disciplinary action.
Strasbourg confirmed the suspension in a statement released on Wednesday, declaring that the decision followed "the player's recent failure to respect the club's values, expectations and rules".
The full statement wrote: "Strasbourg have decided to suspend Emanuel Emegha for the next Ligue 1 match this Saturday at Toulouse."
It added: "This decision was taken after the player recently failed to respect the values and expectations set in the club's rules.
"Le Racing reaffirms its commitment to its key principles of exemplarity and respect for the collective.
"Emanuel remains an important member of the team, who has always given everything on the pitch.
"He will be reintegrated into the squad after this match. No further comment will be made."
Chelsea have been hit with concerning news as RC Strasbourg have handed striker Emmanuel Emegha a one-match ban
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According to reports, the suspension stems from controversial remarks Emegha made to the media in recent weeks.
The disciplinary action concerns comments in which the striker admitted he believed Strasbourg was in Germany when he was preparing to join the club two years ago, according to reports.
Emegha reportedly told Dutch media: "To be honest, I didn't even know where that was. I thought it was in Germany, but it turned out to be in France."
French sports daily L'Equipe also reported that, following a brace against Lille last month, the forward implied that Strasbourg's defeats to Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain were due to his absence from those matches.
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The player failed to uphold the club's standards and expectations
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Emegha arrived at Strasbourg from Austrian outfit Sturm Graz in 2023 for a reported £11 million fee and quickly established himself as a prolific goalscorer.
Last season, the Netherlands international netted 14 times and contributed three assists across 27 Ligue 1 appearances, earning recognition as one of Europe's most promising young forwards.
His performances saw him appointed club captain this summer following Habib Diarra's departure to Sunderland.
The striker has maintained his form this campaign, registering seven goals and two assists in 11 matches across all competitions.
Chelsea announced in September that they had secured an agreement to sign Emegha, with the Dutchman set to join Stamford Bridge in 2026.
The 22-year-old Dutch forward has already agreed terms to join Chelsea next summer
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The announcement of Emegha's impending move to Chelsea sparked considerable unrest among Strasbourg supporters, particularly given the club's ownership by BlueCo since 2023.
During a home fixture against Le Havre, fans unfurled a banner reading: "Emegha, pawn of BlueCo. After changing shirts, give your armband back."
Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior publicly criticised the display which targeted his captain.
The hostility reportedly intensified after Emegha posted footage on Instagram of himself travelling to London to complete his Chelsea signing.
Despite the current controversy, Strasbourg confirmed the forward will return to the squad for their Europa Conference League clash with Aberdeen on December 11.
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