Benatia has revisited this heated episode that marked the start of the club’s season. In an interview with Le Monde on Tuesday, the Marseille sporting director confirmed his close relationship with the French international, but did not hesitate to criticise the attitude of those around him, accusing them of aggravating the situation. These comments bring a sensitive issue back to the table, just a few weeks after Rabiot’s transfer to AC Milan.
Marseille’s season got off to a turbulent start, with controversy overshadowing their opening Ligue 1 defeat to Rennes. The match was quickly forgotten as an explosive incident off the pitch took centre stage, when a physical altercation broke out between Rabiot and Rowe. The situation escalated to the point where security had to intervene to break up the fight. The confrontation took a darker turn when 17-year-old Darryl Bakola, who was caught in the middle of the chaos, was left unconscious. In response to the shocking events, head coach Roberto De Zerbi confirmed that both Rabiot and Rowe were suspended and placed on the transfer list as part of the club’s disciplinary action. Club president Pablo Longoria described the incident as “completely unheard of in the world of football.” However, in an unexpected twist, De Zerbi hinted at the possibility of a return for Rabiot, with the player’s mother, Veronique, also reversing her initial stance and expressing a desire for her son to remain at Marseille.
“I am very close to Adrien, whom I like very much. I have always said so, before, during and after the episode. But unfortunately, there was this incident which, for me, went too far and then escalated when his family got involved,” said Benatia.
“It’s a shame, because he’s a wonderful person and a great professional. We would have liked to see it resolved differently. On a personal level, I’m just sad that I won’t see him anymore when I arrive here… That’s it, I wish him all the best.”
These words show that Rabiot’s departure was not a choice planned by Les Olympiens, but rather the consequence of a climate that had become unmanageable after the brawl in Rennes.
Despite the incident, Benatia says he considered keeping the player. “Either Adrien decided to do what was necessary so that we could reinstate him, or we made it easier for him to go elsewhere. I spoke with him for a good hour a few days before he left to join the national team. I sensed that he was attached to Marseille, but at the same time he felt he had done everything he could to mend fences… So it was better to consider his departure,” said the sporting director.
Rabiot’s mother, Veronique, defended her son after it was announced that Marseille wanted to sell him, saying: “What does ‘unprecedented violence’ mean? No one was injured, no one went to hospital, there were no broken noses, no split lips, no stitches, so I don’t really understand. ‘Unprecedented violence’, I don’t believe it.”
Her comments caused some unease, as Marseille’s leaders were already seeking a way out of the crisis. In the same interview, she launched a scathing attack on president Longoria, De Zerbi, and Benatia.
In the end, Rabiot joined Milan. The transfer fee was estimated at €7 million, a relatively low sum for a player of his calibre. Benatia justified the deal by saying: “There was a kind of gentlemen’s agreement in his contract. In the end, the transfer took place after this period and was more expensive, but still reasonable. It’s also a way of showing our appreciation.”
This statement suggests that, despite the tensions, the separation was amicable, but not without regret.
Additional reporting by Patrick Tchanhoun.
