Thibaut Courtois has faced accusations of being a mole inside the Belgium camp and allowing his father to leak the team news of former national team coach Marc Wilmots.
The Chelsea goalkeeper has represented his country since 2011, taking in 54 appearances to date.
As a man widely regarded as one of the world’s best in his chosen position, the 25-year-old is a key figure in the Red Devils camp.
He has, however, been singled out by Wilmots – who was Belgium boss between 2012 and 2016 – as being responsible for his family revealing important tactical decisions in public.
“I have a problem when I make my theory at 18h and at 18h15 it is on all [social] networks,” Wilmots, who was sacked on the back of a disappointing showing from Belgium at Euro 2016, told beIN Sports .
Next Match
“That means a player has revealed the selection. And that’s serious. It came back to me from several French journalists that Papa Courtois was doing it. It means that you do not respect your homeland.
“I find it a shame because I have to wait an hour before the match to have the opposing line-up. And that’s terrible.
“The opponent is gaining time. He can prepare everything. He knows everything. And that’s really dramatic. It never happened at the World Cup in Brazil.”
Unsurprisingly, Thierry Courtois has not taken too kindly to the accusations levelled at him by Wilmots.
He has been quick to offer a response, telling Belgian publication DH: “I never in my life communicated a team composition to any journalist!
“Being a top player and also in a technical staff of a European level club, I know how delicate it is. My teammates and players also knew it. We work together for a long time to get results, I hate leaks!”
Belgium are now working under the guidance of former Everton boss Roberto Martinez and will head to this summer’s World Cup finals in Russia among the favourites to go all the way.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)