Marseille president Pablo Longoria condemns the “extreme violence” between Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe in the dressing room, revealing both players have been placed on the transfer list.
Marseille President Calls Out ‘Unheard Of’ Violence Between Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe
Marseille‘s president Pablo Longoria has condemned the extreme violence that broke out between Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe following their loss to Rennes in the opening Ligue 1 fixture.
What Happened?
After the 1-0 defeat to Rennes, tensions within the Marseille squad reached a boiling point. Rabiot and Rowe became involved in a heated argument that quickly escalated into violence, so severe that security had to intervene to separate the players. In response to the incident, Marseille made the swift decision to suspend both players, placing them on the transfer list and permanently excluding them from first-team action.
Longoria’s Reaction
Speaking to AFP, Longoria stated that the altercation was “completely unheard of in the world of football” and went beyond acceptable behavior in any professional environment. “We had to make a decision after an event that went beyond acceptable limits in a football club,” he said. “This situation, which affects the institution, has put us in a position where we are forced to protect the club and the season ahead.”
The Marseille president further expressed the difficulty of dealing with the situation, especially with Rabiot, who had been one of the club’s standout performers last season. “Honestly, as a club, we are suffering the situation,” he admitted. “We are the victim of a situation, a fight without limits.”
The Bigger Picture
The violence in the dressing room shocked the Marseille leadership, with coach Roberto De Zerbi also confirming that neither player would feature for the club again. The decision to exclude them is part of a broader effort to maintain harmony and discipline within the squad.
What Next for Rabiot and Rowe?
Both players are now actively seeking new clubs. Rabiot, a former Juventus player, is already attracting interest from Serie A clubs, with Juventus and Inter Milan rumored to be leading the charge. Meanwhile, Rowe has agreed to a move to Bologna in Italy after Marseille finalized the transfer deal.
Marseille will now look to move forward from this incident as they prepare for the upcoming Ligue 1 fixtures, with the club desperate to put the drama behind them and focus on their season.
