Marseille's president, Longoria, declares Rabiot and Rowe's altercation to be "extremely violent."
In an unexpected turn of events, a physical altercation between Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe in the Marseille dressing room has caused a stir within the French football club. The incident, which took place following their Ligue 1 curtain-raiser against Rennes, resulted in a 1-0 defeat and the expulsion of both players from the first-team squad.
Rabiot, who has attracted interest from Juventus, Inter, and several Premier League clubs, and Rowe, who joined Marseille last year for a reported €15m (£17m) from Norwich City, have been linked with potential transfers away from the club.
The incident, which occurred in front of the entire Marseille squad, was so severe that it is reported to be unprecedented in football. Marseille president Pablo Longoria described it as "incredible, violent, aggressive, and went beyond any limits." Longoria further stated that "even in the worst punch-ups there are rules," which were not followed in this case.
The altercation appears to have been sparked by a perceived lack of effort from Rowe during the game, with Rabiot reportedly voicing his concerns. The expulsion of both players from the squad and their subsequent placement on the transfer list was a direct result of this incident.
Following the match, tempers flared among the Marseille players in the dressing room. The incident was so serious that Longoria labelled it as "extremely serious and extremely violent," beyond what is acceptable in a football club.
Marseille's opening game of the season ended in disappointment, with Ludovic Blas scoring the winning goal for Rennes late in the game. Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal was sent off during the match for Marseille, adding to the club's woes.
As the fallout from the incident continues, it remains to be seen whether either Rabiot or Rowe will secure a move away from Marseille. Reports suggest that English Premier League clubs are among those showing interest in Rabiot, while Leeds United and Sunderland are said to have an interest in Rowe, although no formal bids have been made as yet.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the passion and competitiveness that can sometimes boil over in the world of football, and the need for players to maintain control and respect for their teammates, even in the heat of the moment.
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