Massombo Affair: Zaric urges ÖFB to intervene

The transfer saga surrounding Yann Massombo is currently heating up emotions in the ADMIRAL Bundesliga.

Especially at SCR Altach. On Friday, the 26-year-old Frenchman refused to board the bus for Altach's away trip on the 3rd Bundesliga matchday against SK Sturm Graz.

The Altach wide player wants to force a transfer – to none other than SK Sturm.

Even teammates couldn't convince Massombo to board >>>

Zaric vexed by lack of respect

Altach coach Ognjen Zaric appeared quite irritated about the whole situation on Saturday before the Bundesliga match against SK Sturm (LIVE ticker >>>).

"Respect is important to me. I always behave very respectfully as a coach. I'm not sure if that was shown towards us yesterday," Zaric explains in an interview with "Sky".

Zaric holds ÖFB accountable

He made it clear that his criticism was not directed at Sturm as a club, but at "individuals".

"There is an ÖFB disciplinary code. I believe there is a case that happened yesterday, which I cannot ethically or morally comprehend," Zaric says, annoyed about the incident. "I am curious how the ÖFB reacts to something like this – because I believe this should go to the committees."

Massombo's strike: Altach issues statement >>>

Netzer's dig at Ingolitsch

Altach sporting director Philipp Netzer describes the situation as "very peculiar and absolutely incorrect. It is alarming to me that on the day before the match, before the final training, calls are made to our player and then the player is driven crazy."

"Certain individuals involved should perhaps question themselves," criticizes Netzer, also hinting that Sturm coach Fabio Ingolitsch might be meant by this.

"Perhaps you can ask the Sturm Graz coach for an interview. Maybe he'll be just as honest and take a clear stance," says Netzer.

Sturm does not deny interest in Massombo

On the part of SK Sturm, efforts were made on Saturday not to add more fuel to the fire. However, coach Fabio Ingolitsch didn't even try to deny that Sturm was interested in Massombo.

"He is a really good player; I know him very well from my time at Altach," Ingolitsch tells "Sky". He added that such situations at the end of a transfer window are "Part of the Game."

Massombo's strike? Parensen: "We have nothing to do with it"

Ingolitsch stated that whatever Massombo does as long as he is an SCR Altach player is solely the business of the Vorarlberg club. Sturm sporting director Michael Parensen also affirmed regarding the question of why the Frenchman didn't board the bus: "We have nothing to do with it."

"We can only influence what happens within our team," said Ingolitsch. "The Massombo affair is SCR Altach's issue. We have no influence over it, we don't want to take any, and we never will."

Massombo is still under contract with Altach until 2027.