Mask-wearing Ultras force ex-Liverpool star Riera to flee managerial unveiling

Former Liverpool star Albert Riera was forced to leave his managerial unveiling after a group of ultras invaded his press conference.

The Spaniard, who played for the Reds between 2008 to 2010 after being signed by Rafa Benitez, has been appointed the new boss of Slovenian side Olimpija Ljubljana. Riera was previously assistant coach at Galatasaray but his start to life in the dugout did not go to plan.

A group of ultras, some of whom were masked, stormed the room and confronted Riera and the club's chairman at the front of the room. The situation escalated and Riera eventually left the room as tensions rose. The group of individuals are believed to have an issue with the dismissal of former manager Robert Prosineck, according to El Partidazo de COPE.

The Croatian was forced out after just three months in the role due to a dispute with the club's board and their president Adam Delius. There is also speculation that Olimpija Ljubljana are in a dire financial state and a statement from the club claimed the previous manager Prosinecki would stay up late with coaching staff, drinking and playing cards which would result in training being cancelled.

Riera took his first training session as Olimpija head coach on Monday and he will take charge of his first game on Thursday when Olimpija take on Luxembourgian club Differdange 03 in the qualifying round of the Europa Conference League.

The 40-year-old made an £8m switch to Anfield from Espanyol 14 years ago and scored five times in 56 outings. He left in 2010 for Olympiacos and also had spells at Bordeaux, Galatasaray, Watford and Udinese during his career.

Riera has previously spoken out on his Liverpool exit, which he blames the media for. A fallout with Benitez occurred when it was reported the winger blamed him for missing out on Spain's World Cup squad - but that was not the case.

He told Anfield HQ: "The only problem was the media. I was frustrated when I was not included in the Spain squad for the World Cup in 2010 because I hadn't had a lot of playing time in the Premier League for like two months. So (journalists) put some words in my mouth saying that the person who was responsible for me not being included in the Spain squad was Rafa. After that I did another interview and said that I have to be my first critic. But the media was not interested anymore."