Thibaut Courtois issues warning to his Belgium team-mates amid reports of a clash after Morocco loss

Thibaut Courtois has shouted ‘lies’ to the media about a reported arrest in the Belgian camp – and has threatened to end the national career of the person who leaked the information.

L’Equipe claimed that Kevin De Bruyne, Jan Vertonghen and captain Eden Hazard clashed in the dressing room following Belgium’s defeat to Morocco, as previously reported by Sportsmail.

But the 30-year-old Real Madrid goalkeeper has denied claims of a major row between the Red Devils, despite some understandable anger over the shock loss. He warned whoever was spreading the stories in the first place.

Thibaut Courtois lashed out at the Belgian team member who leaked stories about the collision

According to Walfoot, Courtois said: “We said things to each other, and sometimes it feels good. I don’t think we missed it, but it’s one thing to talk to each other at the table or talk individually or in a group, to solve everything together.

The problem is that what is said in the press is not always the truth. Who leaked this? We don’t need to know that. If it comes true, it will be his last day in the national team.’

The goalkeeper added: “There are no problems in the team, it’s just an external attempt to create problems internally. Of course nobody is happy after a defeat, but it brings us even closer because we know that we will have to give everything on the pitch on Thursday.’

Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne reportedly clashed after their shock 2-0 defeat to Morocco

Hazard himself spoke about the matter during the pre-match press conference. He said: “We had a good talk with the players. Much has been said. We talked for an hour about good and bad things. Now we want to beat Croatia. We now have two days to prepare. We must be ready.’

However, he denied reports of a post-match confrontation following the Senegal defeat, saying that only Roberto Martinez, the manager, spoke to players after the game. Hazard himself spoke to Kevin De Bruyne after the latter said the Belgian squad was too old to win the World Cup.

“Nothing happened in the dressing room,” said the Real Madrid star. Only the coach spoke. I spoke to Kevin De Bruyne, he does believe in the group.’

Hazard spoke to reporters to confirm players spoke after Morocco’s defeat, but denied bust-up

He called on the Red Devils to do better on the pitch, adding: “We still have quality in the group and are here to win. We lack confidence because of that last pass and that last dribble. We have to regain that trust.’

In Belgium’s final group stage match, Martinez’s side beat 2018 finalists Croatia, knowing they needed a match result or face elimination in the first stage.

Morocco are currently ahead of them in the group and will progress with a win against already eliminated Canada. Martinez’s side would overtake Croatia with a win, while in a draw they would trust the North African side to lose to their CONCACAF counterparts.

Belgium’s key players Hazard, De Bruyne and Vertonghen were all involved in the reported bust-up following Morocco’s 2-0 win, and Romelu Lukaku had to step in to break up the enraged trio at Al Thumama stadium .

Romelu Lukaku reportedly has to step in to break the battling Belgian teammates

Sportsmail also revealed that the wife of fellow Red Devils member Dries Mertens said there was a ‘really awkward’ team barbecue following the spat as Belgium prepare for their crucial game against Croatia, which will take place at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan.

Belgium finished third in 2018 and made it to the quarter-finals in 2014. Their last elimination in the World Cup group stage was in 1998, when they drew their three games against the Netherlands, Mexico and South Korea.