We heard President Pablo Longoria and sports director Medhi Benatia. On the Olympic side of Marseille, he still lacked the version of coach Roberto de Zerbi. This Friday, on the eve of facing Paris FC at the Vélodrome stadium, the Italian presented himself at a press conference to give his point of view on what we can name “the Adrien Rabiot affair”.
Accused by his club of having participated in a fight of “incredible violence” with a teammate (the Englishman Jonathan Rowe), the French international was excluded from the workforce and placed on the list of transfers. A decision that would have been “temporary” if the attitude of the player’s entourage had been different. This is the message carried today by Roberto de Zerbi.
The version of the facts of Roberto of Zerbi
“I speak because it seems necessary to me. In a workplace, a restaurant with two servers, a site with two workers, a cabinet with two lawyers, if two people hit themselves as in an English pub, in front of the sports director, the coach … all with a teammate on the ground because he made a malaise (Darryl Bakola), what should the employer do in France? There are two solutions: suspension or dismissal.
With Pablo Longoria, Medhi Benatia, we talked. We waited on Monday before communicating the decision: it is clear. We put the two players away while waiting to see. See what? See if they expressed regrets. The club comes first. As Marseille in her recent history has always been an actress of controversy, of coaches who leave … There was a lack of order.
There is an ethical code. It is a compulsory choice for the club, a fair choice. It was temporary to understand the rest. It’s really a fight. The bodyguards had to intervene. This is the only time I saw that. I come from the street, I am used to it but I would never have thought of seeing bodyguards of the club intervene to protect ourselves. »»
De Zerbi charges the entourage and the mother of Adrien Rabiot
“I read things say by the entourage of Rabiot, who are false. I don’t have to defend Pablo or Medhi but I have only one face. I thought it was a quality of being sincere. (…) Medhi had an excellent relationship with Rabiot, with his mother. Everyone knew that Medhi helped Adrien in his private life. He went beyond his role as sports director.
So it annoys me when I hear Rabiot’s mother attacking her. As far as I’m concerned, I have not decided to exclude him alone. But I decided to appoint him captain in Paris. I decided to put myself between the supporters of PSG and his son. In a year, I had more attention for his son than for mine. The decision was temporary. We were very linked with Rabiot.
We know how to decide for OM’s good. Tomorrow, we will have to play without him, without Rowe. It weighs us. I could have turned around and pretend to have seen anything, ask them to shake hands. I do not lose my dignity to win a championship. There were no other outcomes. Ok, there were no broken teeth. But I had never seen such a fight. It is a courageous decision on the part of the club. Which will be beneficial over the long term. »»
Of a permanent temporary decision
“On Monday, when we communicated the choice to the players, we were talking about a temporary decision. Then it degenerated because of the entourage, not OM. I put my pride aside. I appreciate Rabiot. I do not think I am more important than him, to have a decision of life or death on him. But when I read the declarations of Rabiot’s mother …
Sometimes I scream, I have hot blood. But I am able to kiss Rabiot, to show him that we are behind him. When he was looking for a house, I offered to give him mine and go to the hotel. Everyone must respect the hierarchy. (…) For 13 years, I managed difficult groups. I have never had such problems. We can talk about it all day, I answer all the questions. I am honest and transparent. I have to defend my club and the truth.
It’s difficult. We are all affected. But when I spoke with the group yesterday, I told them: you have to be aware that we did things precisely. (…) We are on August 22 and we already find ourselves in this situation … After all that we did last year, to talk about values … and end up hitting the locker room. It hurt me. I am not scandalized but it touched me, very upset. »»
The conversation between Rabiot and Zerbi
“He’s sorry. He thinks that the decision is too serious. But I told him that if he had been my son, I would have done the same thing. One can suffer from such a decision. This is the case. But there is an obligation to do so. I gave him advice. He will see what he wants to do. »»
The rest?
“Nothing is compromised. Recruits can arrive, four, five or six. I think to apply rules, it’s always positive. Anarchy cannot work in a football team. I know how things work: everyone gives their version. This is not an economic question.
The acts will count. We will play without Rabiot and we will try to complete the team so as not to regret this absence. He’s a high -level player. But I think you have before you what has become of PSG. PSG has become what it is when it has paid attention to this kind of thing. Rabiot is a good person. The situation was poorly managed by those around him.
It would have been normal to see him repent, regret the gestures. Things would have returned to normal. It was poorly managed by the entourage. The words that have been used by Pablo or Medhi are not the same as those used by those around him. He broke things definitely. No one wanted this breakup. »»
Key Takeaways: The Rabiot Incident in Context
To better understand the implications of this disciplinary action, consider these key points:
| Aspect | Details | Implications |
| ———————– | ————————————————————————————————————————————— | ——————————————————————————————————————————————————- |
| Incident | Fight between Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe, allegedly involving “incredible violence,” requiring bodyguards’ intervention. | Demonstrates a significant breach of team conduct and creates an surroundings of instability. |
| De Zerbi’s Stance | Emphasis on the necessity of disciplinary action, the importance of team ethics, and disappointment with Rabiot’s entourage’s response.| Indicates a firm stance on maintaining order and potentially signals a shift in team culture. |
| rabiot’s Reaction | Expresses regret, yet the situation deteriorated based on the entourage’s reaction, not the player’s immediate response. | Suggests unresolved issues and complicates the possibility of a quick resolution or Rabiot’s return. |
| Transfer Status | Listed as “transferable,” but not sold. | The potential implications for Rabiot and the Olympique de Marseille club as a whole. |
| Club’s Stance | Prioritizing ethical code and team unity over individual contributions,as is the necessity to apply the law. | Reflects a commitment to values and a proactive response to a challenging situation. |
Note: This table provides a summary based on the press conference details.
FAQ: Addressing Common Questions
To enhance reader engagement and provide clarity,here are answers to frequently asked questions about the “Adrien Rabiot affair” at Olympique de Marseille:
Q: What exactly happened between Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan rowe?
A: According to Coach Roberto de Zerbi,a fight of “incredible violence” occurred between Rabiot and Rowe,necessitating the intervention of bodyguards. Details are still emerging, with no exact facts on the root cause of the conflict.
Q: Why was Adrien Rabiot excluded from the team?
A: Rabiot was initially excluded due to the fight. However, as time went on, issues with his representative seemed to make the situation long lasting, and the club now thinks to sell Rabiot.
Q: what is Roberto de Zerbi’s role in this situation?
A: De Zerbi has taken a strong stance on the matter, emphasizing the need for discipline and team unity at all levels, making sure he adheres to an ethical code for the club.
Q: How has Olympique de Marseille responded to the incident overall?
A: The club has taken a firm stand, prioritizing team ethics, and by having placed Rabiot on the transfer list.
Q: What does the future hold for Adrien Rabiot at Olympique de Marseille?
A: His future with the team is uncertain. A return hinges on Rabiot showing full “repentance”, and a change in stance from his entourage.
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