Moroccan international footballer Mehdi Carcela was ranked second by the Belgian Golden Shoe, an award given in Belgium at the beginning of each civil year to the best footballer of the Belgian first division for the past year.
However, Carcela couldn't make it to the gala during which Belgian footballer Hans Vanaken was awarded the 65th Golden Shoe.
Carcela’s absence did not go unnoticed. His coach Miched Preud’homme «apologized on behalf of Standard», saying that Mehdi Carcela «was expected to be there», reports Belgian newspaper Voetbal Primeur.
The player’s attitude hurt the audience. His coach defended him saying that «he is an artist, we know that he has disciplinary problems, but he also knows how to shine in the field and this is the most important thing».