Barcelona: Dembélé faces fine after failing to show up for team meeting

Ousmane Dembélé has once again a shown a lack of professionalism and respect towards his team mates. To their surprise, the French forward failed to show up at the Ciutat Esportiva this morning. All of the available players in the first team squad were summonded to the training ground first thing this morning so that Xavi Hernández could announce the list for this evening's meeting with Alavés. One by one, the players began turning up, but as time went by it became apparent that one player was missing - Dembélé.

The club called him at home to find out why he had not attended the meeting in which Xavi was due to relay the names of the players who would be travelling to Vitoria. They were passed of with an excuse - the player saying that he was feeling unwell with stomach problems.

Obviously, nobody at the club really believes his story - he seemed completely fine in Saturday´s session. He was warned that could face a fine under the strict internal rules which Xavi implemented on his return to Barcelona. Right now, the case is being dealt with by the club's legal department. The severity of the breach of rules is being investigated and Dembélé will likely be punished accordingly.

What is clear is that with this kind of attitude, Ousmane is only shooting himself in the foot. It's one thing for the club to inform him that they will seek an outlet for him if he doesn't renew terms and another to breach the rules which, like it or not, everyone has to follow - no one can just do as they please whenever it suits them.