Football
Mark Lovell, Bayern Munich blogger 6y

Marcel Schmelzer backtracks on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang criticism

Borussia Dortmund captain Marcel Schmelzer has backtracked after he said striker Pierre-Emerick should be brought back into line at the Bundesliga club.

Aubameyang has repeatedly made the headlines in the past year after a succession of disciplinary problems. 

In November, it was reported that the Gabon international "allowed himself numerous lapses of discipline, arrives late for training constantly and considers himself untouchable."

On Monday, BVB captain Schmelzer had told Sky Deutschland: "As a team we have spoken regularly about this. I think Auba knows that it cannot become an issue for us, but if you don't talk about it and put out these small fires, they can later turn into massive problems."

Schmelzer's comments came after Aubameyang had brought along his father, Pierre, and brothers Catilina and Willy to stay at the team hotel during BVB's winter training camp in Marbella, sparking further reports of players said to be upset by Auba's behaviour and special status.

However, Schmelzer said he had not sought to single out Aubameyang.

"I didn't mean Auba in particular -- it was intended for all players," Schmelzer told Bild. 

According to Bild, the pair attempted to resolve the matter, sitting down together at Marbella Airport to clear the air before flying back to Germany on Tuesday.

Follow Mark on Twitter: @LovellLowdown.

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