Crystal Palace: tension remains high around Sage after dropping Disasi

Sage dropped French defender Disasi for the Europa League match and refused to explain the decision, fuelling tension at the club.

Crystal Palace drew 1-1 with Hoffenheim in Europa League on Thursday, but the result was overshadowed by manager Pierre Sage's decision to exclude French international Axel Disasi from the squad. Disasi had started in the Premier League against Tottenham the previous weekend but was omitted without explanation. When pressed by media before and after the match, Sage refused to comment, saying only that it was "an internal decision" and declining to elaborate even when asked if it was similar to earlier exclusions of Jaydee Canvot and Evann Guessand. When a journalist suggested the pattern indicated a loss of dressing-room control, Sage responded tersely: "That's your analysis." The incident reflects ongoing tension at Palace, where poor results have left Sage under scrutiny and the team in relegation form in the Premier League.