Loïc Lapoussin has once again been sidelined at Union Saint-Gilloise. Always for disciplinary reasons.
This weekend, Loïc Lapoussin jumped from the unionist group for the reception of Club Bruges. Sébastien Pocognoli did not try to pretend that he was injured, he immediately confirmed that it was a disciplinary sanction.
We now know a little more about the exact reason for this sanction: although he was authorized to attend his sister's wedding on Saturday, he did not show up for training on Thursday, causing misunderstanding within of the club. Pocognoli made it clear that absence from training was not acceptable.
This incident comes just two months after Lapoussin returned to the A team, after being excluded for four months due to his bad behavior. In an interview at the end of November, he promised further improvement.
Already on borrowed time
Despite his apology Friday and the support of his teammates, Pocognoli felt compelled to step up to send a signal. “The code of conduct applies to everyone,” explained the coach.
The future of Loïc Lapoussin to the Union seems more and more uncertain. With his contract expiring in June 2025 – with an option for a further year – the club appear open to a transfer. Last summer, a price tag of €2 million was set, but given his repeated missteps, the question is whether clubs are still willing to pay that sum.
The ball is now in Lapoussin's court. If he manages to get his act together, he could bring that creativity that the team sometimes lacks on the pitch. The Union keeps the door ajar, but the room for error seems weaker than ever.
