OM — De Zerbi facing the storm: “You don’t lose your dignity over one match”

Two days before Olympique de Marseille face Paris FC in the second round of the 2025/26 Ligue 1 season, Roberto De Zerbi spoke at length in his pre-match press conference about the affair that has already shaken Marseille’s season: the violent altercation between Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe in the dressing room after the opening match. With his trademark frankness, the OM manager defended the decision taken with Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia to sideline both players, stressing the necessity of preserving order and dignity within the club.

“Like in an English pub”

The Italian coach began by recalling the incident with disarming sincerity.
“I’ve played football for a long time, more than 30 years in the game. I’m used to talking about what happens in the dressing room. But this, I had never seen before. Two teammates punching each other, like in an English pub, right in front of the sporting director and the coach, with one player lying unconscious on the ground. The bodyguards, who are normally there to protect us, had to step in to separate our own players… That’s the first time I’ve seen something like this,” he admitted, still shaken.

A collective and inevitable decision

Faced with such a surreal scene, the Marseille leadership had to act.
“In any workplace, when two employees come to blows, the employer has to respond. There are two options: suspension or dismissal. With Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia, we discussed all weekend, and on Monday we announced our decision. It was clear: both players had to be set aside.”

De Zerbi underlined the importance of hierarchy:
“In a club, the club must always come first. Before me, before the players. In recent years, Marseille has suffered from a lack of order, constant controversies, and abrupt departures. We decided to implement a clear code of ethics. This decision was necessary.”

“I don’t sacrifice dignity for a match”

The coach acknowledged that the choice carried significant sporting consequences, but he refused to compromise on his principles:
“I could have looked the other way, told them to shake hands and move on. But I don’t sacrifice dignity for a match, not even for a championship. Defending OM’s colors must be an honor, a source of pride. No one is bigger than the club.”

Rabiot and his entourage at the heart of tensions

A large part of his address was devoted to Adrien Rabiot and, above all, his entourage. De Zerbi did not hide his irritation at the comments made by the player’s mother, who attacked Longoria and Benatia:
“It makes me angry. Medhi has done everything for Adrien, far beyond his role as sporting director. I myself made decisions to help him, even in Paris, protecting him against hostile supporters. I gave more attention to him than to my own son. So when I hear his mother attacking the president and Medhi, I find it deeply unfair.”

Nevertheless, De Zerbi clarified that Rabiot, whom he had met that very morning, expressed remorse:
“Adrien is sorry. He thinks the sanction is too harsh, but he regrets what happened.”

From a temporary suspension to a prolonged exclusion

De Zerbi revealed that the initial sanction was intended to be temporary:
“On Monday, we were talking about a provisional suspension. But things escalated because of his entourage, not because of OM.”

This hardening of the stance shows just how determined the leadership was to assert its authority from the very start of the season.

A shaken but united dressing room

The coach admitted that the affair has affected the entire squad.
“Yesterday I spoke to the players after training. I told them that we acted the right way, in a just manner. It’s not easy, but to play for OM, you have to be strong. Here, you need to be used to the rollercoaster ride.”

Some expressed doubts, others offered their support. But the message is clear: the collective must come first.

Tactical adjustments and the transfer market

Without two key players, De Zerbi will have to adjust his plans. He did not rule out using Amine Gouiri as a playmaker behind the striker, especially given Amine Harit’s absence. Further reinforcements may also arrive:
“There’s still time left in the transfer window—maybe four, five, or six signings,” he hinted, without elaborating.

“Words fade, actions remain”

Asked about the supporters, who are often quick to worry in the face of controversy, De Zerbi responded firmly:
“Words fade, it’s actions that count. We made a strong decision, but one that was necessary. It was a courageous choice that will be beneficial in the long run.”

Conclusion: a coach standing firm

By refusing to downplay the incident and by taking full responsibility for an unpopular decision, Roberto De Zerbi sends a clear message: OM intends to restore discipline and dignity, whatever the cost. While the short-term sporting price may be high, the Italian manager is convinced that holding this line will ultimately pay off.

Now the focus shifts back to the pitch: on Saturday, OM will face Paris FC without Rabiot and Rowe, but with the conviction that the collective and ethical standards must outweigh individual egos.