Marseille's De Zerbi Addresses Player Altercation and Transfer List Decisions
Marseille manager Roberto de Zerbi has placed Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe on the transfer list following a physical altercation between the teammates that he described as resembling a "bar fight." The incident occurred after Marseille's 1-0 defeat to Rennes in their opening Ligue 1 match, where the hosts scored in stoppage time despite being reduced to 10 men earlier in the game.
De Zerbi commented, "I ask you this: What happens if, at your workplace, two employees get into a fight?" He elaborated, stating, "It was a bar fight, witnessed by the sporting director and myself, with a teammate on the ground (Darryl Bakola, who was experiencing a medical emergency)." The intensity of the confrontation left those present shocked.
Reflecting on the incident, De Zerbi remarked, "It's true that no teeth were broken during the fight, but it was unlike anything I have ever seen in my years in football. For the first time in my career, I was at a loss for words. I have come from the streets and am accustomed to fights, but nothing like this. The club's security personnel had to intervene to separate them, which is unusual as they are typically there to protect us from external threats, not from each other."
Marseille president Pablo Longoria characterized the incident as "extremely violent," while Rabiot's mother, Veronique, referred to the club's decision to transfer her son as a "betrayal," comparing his situation to that of Mason Greenwood's arrival at the club.
In response, De Zerbi stated, "The mother seems to have forgotten two things. I chose to make him captain, and over the past year, I have given her son more attention and care than I have given my own child. For Rabiot's mother to compare us to Greenwood's situation is absurd. We are discussing private matters here, and it is not appropriate to bring in other people's circumstances. We are addressing a workplace altercation."
Rowe, an England Under-21 international, joined Marseille from Norwich on an initial loan in August 2024 before completing a permanent transfer this summer. The 22-year-old forward has scored three goals in 31 appearances for the club and has been linked with a move to Bologna.
Rabiot, a former Paris Saint-Germain player, joined Marseille last September on a free transfer after spending five years at Juventus, where he scored 10 goals in 32 matches. The 30-year-old midfielder, who has earned 53 caps for France, has also drawn interest from Monaco and Manchester United, who are looking to bolster their midfield options.