Marseille President Calls Rabiot–Rowe Bust-Up “Extremely Violent”

 

Marseille have placed Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe on the transfer list following what club president Pablo Longoria described as an “extremely violent” dressing room altercation.

The incident occurred after Marseille’s 1–0 defeat to Rennes, a match in which the team played with a man advantage for over an hour but still lost to a stoppage-time goal. Tempers flared post-match, with Rabiot reportedly accusing Rowe of a lack of commitment. The confrontation escalated into a physical fight in front of the entire squad.

“I wasn’t in the dressing room, but the staff who were told me it was incredible, violent, aggressive and went beyond any limits,” Longoria told AFP. “Even in the worst punch-ups, there are rules. Not in this case”.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi has since expelled both players from the first-team squad and confirmed they will never play for the club again. Rabiot, who joined Marseille from Juventus last season, and Rowe, a former Norwich City winger, are now being offered to clubs across Europe.

Longoria emphasized that the decision was not related to Rabiot’s contract situation, but rather to protect the club’s integrity: “It is not negotiable for me to be president of a club where there are no rules”.

🔍 Fallout Summary:

• Rabiot and Rowe involved in violent post-match bust-up after Rennes defeat

• Both players transfer-listed and banned from first-team activities

• Marseille president calls it “unheard of in the world of football”

• Rabiot attracting interest from Juventus and Inter; Rowe linked with Bologna and Leeds

With Marseille’s season just beginning, the club now faces a crisis that could reshape its dressing room culture.