CF Montréal interim coach Philippe Eullaffroy insisted his relationship with Alexis Sánchez isn't broken after the forward angrily confronted the team's coaching staff during a Canadian Championship final loss to Forge FC on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Sánchez was visibly upset with the coaching staff after warming up for more than an hour, only to not enter the match as a substitute.
The match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, with Forge FC winning 4-2 on penalty kicks to secure the Canadian title in a major upset at Stade Saputo in Montréal. Forge became the first Canadian Premier League team to win the tournament.
Montréal went down to 10 men in the 54th minute when Brayan Vera was shown a second yellow card for simulation. Eullaffroy said after the game
that playing with a man disadvantage made it a "challenge" to put Sánchez in the game.
Eullaffroy brought on two attacking players in the 81st minute, and made another sub in the 111th minute. But the Chilean Designated Player was still on the bench at the final whistle.
The Montréal coach said he tried to get Sánchez on before the end of extra time but didn't get the chance.
"We took the time to discuss with everyone involved, to figure out how we could bring [Sánchez] on in the best possible conditions," Eullaffroy said. "There were absolutely no stoppages in play during the second period of extra time."
Footage shows Sanchez angrily confronting Montréal's coaching staff after warming up. Eullaffroy was asked after the match if his relationship with the 37-year-old is broken.
“It isn't broken. Well, I don't think so. Not on my side, at least," Eullaffroy said.
Sánchez signed a two-year contract with Montréal in August, joining as a Designated Player. He has made 13 total appearances for the club and has yet to score or assist.
The Chile international made his name during a decorated career in Europe, which included stops at Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United, Inter and Marseille.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alexis Sánchez clashes with CF Montréal coaches after snub
