Dubai: Al Wasl defender Lucas Neill has confirmed Bruno Metsu is suffering from stomach cancer after sending his best wishes to the stricken coach via twitter on Saturday night.
Metsu, 58, who took over from Diego Maradona at the club in July, was admitted to American Hospital Dubai in Oud Metha last Sunday after suffering from severe abdominal pain.
The Frenchman was discharged after tests and ordered to rest at home, forcing the club to hand temporary charge to Metsu’s assistant Guilles Mourisseau for recent cup and league games against Al Jazira (3-2) last Monday and Ajman (2-0) on Saturday.
A club statement released on Thursday refused to speculate over Metsu’s exact diagnosis after rumours of colon cancer circulated online, they instead asked for support and privacy for his family after news emerged that the coach was considering whether or not to have surgery.
Neill, back after recent international duty for Australia, tweeted: “So sad to find out Bruno Metsu our manager has been diagnosed from stomach cancer, best wishes coach, get well!!”
It followed an earlier tweet, dedicating Al Wasl’s Ajman win to Metsu. It read: “2-0 win v ajman. Great character, good fighting spirit. The win is for Bruno!!”
A spokesman from Al Wasl said despite Neill’s revelation, the club still wouldn’t be commenting on Metsu’s condition to confirm or deny the claim. “The club doesn’t comment on personal tweets. The club’s stance is the same. We acknowledge he’s sick but will not reveal anything without the prior approval of the coach and confirmation from his doctors and ongoing tests.”
The spokesman added only information pertaining to Metsu’s return or need to travel for treatment abroad would be made public. Pictures were released by the club on Sunday of Metsu, back in hospital, being visited by Al Wasl vice-chairman Mohammad Bin Dukhan and club CEO Hassan Talib. They said Metsu was in good spirits, but reiterated the need not to speculate on his condition until confirmed for the sake of his family.
Meanwhile, Walter Zenga, rival coach of Al Nasr, said after his side’s 6-1 win over Kalba on Saturday: “It’s very horrible to see that a guy like Bruno is in trouble with his health and I wish all of the best to him and his family. I’m praying that he can come back soon, I send to him one big hug and I hope that — Insha Allah — everything is going to be okay.”
