Marseille’s 1-0 defeat to Rennes on 16/8 in their opening Ligue 1 fixture sparked a dressing room altercation involving several players, culminating in a physical fight between Rabiot and Rowe.

Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli initiated the confrontation on the pitch after the final whistle, criticizing several teammates, including Rowe, for their perceived lack of effort. The argument continued in the dressing room, where Rulli continued to berate Rowe.

According to L'Equipe, the initial exchange between Rulli and Rowe was purely verbal. Rabiot initially attempted to mediate but ended up clashing with Rowe. Manager Roberto De Zerbi and midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg also joined the fray, their raised voices audible to journalists in the press room due to the thin walls of Roazhon Park.

Adrien Rabiot during Marseille's 1-0 defeat to Rennes at Roazhon Park, Rennes, France on 16/8. Photo: *AFP*

De Zerbi confirmed the incident in the post-match press conference. "They beat us on the pitch, and we beat each other in the dressing room. Do you know what that means? It means we are too soft. At Marseille, we should all be strong men," he stated.

L'Equipe and RMC Sport reported that the argument escalated into a physical altercation. Amidst the chaos, Rabiot grabbed Rowe by the collar, and after an exchange of insults, Rabiot punched Rowe. De Zerbi’s translator intervened, asking Rowe whether Rabiot’s words were meant to help or provoke him.

As the team prepared to leave, Rowe returned to the dressing room, ostensibly to check on Darryl Bakola, who had suffered a knock late in the game. However, Rowe then confronted Rabiot again, leading to another brawl before Sporting Director Medhi Benatia and stadium security intervened.

On 18/8, RMC Sport reported that Marseille suspended both Rabiot and Rowe indefinitely for their unacceptable behavior. They were barred from training that day.

On 19/8, Rabiot's mother and agent, Veronique, told RTL and L'Equipe that De Zerbi no longer wanted to work with her son due to a "lack of commitment."

Later that day, Marseille officially listed both players for sale. "The decision to put Rabiot and Rowe on the transfer list was made due to their unacceptable behavior in the dressing room after the Rennes match, with the agreement of the coaching staff and based on internal rules of conduct. Both players were informed of this decision on 18/8," the club statement read.

While Rowe was already on the transfer list due to his market value and Marseille’s need for funds, Rabiot’s inclusion came as a shock. The 30-year-old midfielder, previously a respected leader within the squad, now faces an uncertain future with only 10 days left in the transfer window.

Rabiot and Rowe during a Marseille attack in the defeat against Rennes. Photo: *L'Equipe*

Before the Rennes match, Rabiot had expressed his commitment to Marseille in an interview with La Provence. "This summer, there were many attractive offers, but I kept my promise to the President and the Sporting Director, so I stayed. I want to experience the thrill of playing in the Champions League with Marseille, find joy and bring joy to the fans." He also emphasized his dedication since joining the club in the summer of 2024 and his desire to build a strong foundation for Marseille alongside the management and De Zerbi.

L'Equipe described Rabiot as a key link between the players and the management, regularly communicating with Benatia, who relied on him to convey his strict management principles. "A star, a French international, and a team leader, Rabiot embodies all these qualities. Initially doubted due to his Parisian roots and history with rivals PSG, Rabiot quickly won over Marseille fans with his composure and leadership. The club's management has always praised his character: a polite man, whose word is his bond," the newspaper wrote.

In a documentary about last season produced by Marseille, President Pablo Longoria praised Rabiot: "Adrien is the most wonderful person I've ever had in the dressing room in my entire career. He is an example of hard work, a rare role model." Benatia added: "I have met many top players, but ‘Adri,’ besides being an excellent player, also has a steely spirit."

However, following the Rennes incident, Marseille claims Rabiot's post-holiday form has been "unsatisfactory." The club maintains that the fight with Rowe is the sole reason for their decision to part ways with both players. Rabiot's camp disputes this, arguing that such altercations are common in professional football and should be handled internally through disciplinary measures, not by offloading a key player. "You can't dismiss someone for a reason like that," a source close to Rabiot told L'Equipe.

Rabiot’s lawyer, Romuald Palao, expressed surprise at Marseille's announcement on RMC Sport. He stated that Rabiot met with Benatia and Longoria after the incident but was not informed of his impending departure. Palao suspects Marseille is using the incident as a pretext to sell Rabiot after contract extension talks stalled. He mentioned a figure of "17 million USD" as Marseille’s asking price, after acquiring the player on a free transfer in the summer of 2024. RMC Sport also reported the same figure and revealed interest from AC Milan, managed by Max Allegri, Rabiot’s former coach at Juventus, along with Monaco and several Saudi Arabian clubs.

De Zerbi reportedly lost faith in Rabiot during a training camp in the Netherlands in July. Photo: *L'Equipe*

Marseille denies Rabiot’s accusations, asserting that Longoria, Benatia, and De Zerbi all agreed on his departure. According to L'Equipe, De Zerbi was shocked by the violence in the dressing room at Rennes. He reportedly felt betrayed by Rabiot and had already considered letting him go before the board deemed it necessary. Rabiot's behavior had reportedly been unprofessional since a training camp in the Netherlands in July, coinciding with the stalled contract negotiations.

The Rabiot saga continues a tradition of instability at Marseille. Last season, De Zerbi clashed with Ismael Kone during training, requiring intervention from other players. Kone, De Zerbi's first signing at Marseille, was subsequently loaned to Rennes and then sold to Sassuolo. While other conflicts have arisen between players and with De Zerbi, Marseille’s second-place Ligue 1 finish and Champions League qualification helped ease tensions.

Previous managers Marcelo Bielsa, Jorge Sampaoli, and Marcelino also left the club after irreconcilable differences with management, players, or fans.

Compiled by Hoang Thong