OM: Véronique Rabiot hits back — "People are overreacting; Adrien isn't violent

The affair has been shaking the OM world for days. You’ve all heard it: after the defeat in Rennes on August 15, Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe came to blows in the locker room. Longoria spoke of “unprecedented violence,” justifying the immediate exclusion of both players. But this Thursday evening, Véronique Rabiot, Adrien’s mother and agent, took to the airwaves on RTL. With no sugar-coating, she directly challenges the club’s version of events.

The Olympique de Marseille has decided to exclude Adrien Rabiot from the squad and put him on the transfer list. Yesterday, president Pablo Longoria described the incident as “an act of extreme gravity and unprecedented violence.” What’s your version? What really happened last Friday in Rennes?

What really happened? I don’t know, I wasn’t there. But Pablo Longoria wasn’t there either. I want to focus on the words: “unprecedented violence, extreme violence.” What does that mean? Nobody was injured, nobody went to the hospital. No broken nose, no split lip, no stitches, no medical leave. So I don’t understand. “Unprecedented violence”? I don’t buy it.

You don’t deny there was an altercation, Adrien doesn’t deny it either. But you don’t understand why it was blown up this way?

Exactly. Every day, the story gets more violent. No, I don’t deny the altercation. Adrien doesn’t either. But what surprises me is this: we know the coach and Mr. Benatia were in the locker room. How can we imagine a supposedly “unprecedentedly violent” altercation and nobody intervenes? Security didn’t step in. Benatia didn’t. They claim security had to, but I don’t believe it. There were no injuries. “Unprecedented violence” means someone ends up on the ground, hurt. That wasn’t the case.

The players went home as usual. Adrien even came back the next morning, as always, for treatment and recovery. No one said anything to him. Only on Monday afternoon did Longoria and Benatia summon him. If it had really been so “extreme,” he would have been suspended immediately.

OM management also said Adrien should have apologized over the weekend. That could have changed things?

Apologize to whom? To Rowe? To the whole club? Why? It was a locker room matter between two players. They talk about respect for the institution — but are they serious? Last season, we saw the president screaming “corruption, corruption” on live TV. We saw Mr. Benatia get suspended after arguments with referees. Who is disrespecting the club here?

So for you, this is a minor locker-room clash, nothing more?

Exactly. It’s anecdotal, an epiphenomenon. In every locker room, players clash — it usually stays inside. The fact that it leaked isn’t accidental.

On Tuesday morning, your lawyer was told Adrien was excluded because the coach no longer wanted him, not only due to the fight but also because of “a lack of involvement” in recent weeks. True?

What happened is this: when I learned Adrien was “suspended” — and let’s be clear, he was suspended, not officially sanctioned — I wanted to call Mr. Benatia. He refused to speak with me. Instead, he had my lawyer contacted by the club’s secretary general, who said the coach didn’t want Adrien anymore. Yes, because of the fight, but also because of alleged lack of involvement since the training camp in Holland.

And you don’t accept this accusation?

Not at all. None of us understand what’s happening. When I heard Adrien was dropped, it felt like a building collapsed on me. We were all shocked, even my lawyer.

Do you believe the club is using the fight as an excuse to get rid of Adrien?

Yes, absolutely. No need to be a genius to see it. In football, everyone lies and everyone knows everyone lies. It’s about money, always. Adrien has one year left on his contract — they want to cash in before he leaves for free.

Longoria mentioned discussions about a contract extension that you supposedly refused.

What’s the connection? They’re asked why Adrien is excluded, and they talk about contracts. It makes no sense.

Can you imagine Adrien ever wearing the OM shirt again?

You must be joking. After this treatment? It’s maltreatment, nothing less. Adrien gave so much to join OM, to play Champions League here. And this is how they treat him?

How is Adrien feeling now? Angry? Sad?

No, he’s not angry — Adrien isn’t violent. He’s disappointed. De Zerbi talks of “betrayal”? The real betrayal is theirs.

Are you worried OM could block him until June, keeping him out of matches?

I don’t know. I never imagined living this again. I thought PSG was the worst, but I was wrong. Not playing for a whole season would be a catastrophe, especially with a World Cup in 10 months.

Do you already have offers from other clubs?

Yes, of course. After his season, it’s normal. But OM must agree to negotiate. For now, they only communicate through lawyers.

The fans are shocked. Many think something bigger must have happened. What do you say to them?

I feel sorry for them. They showed Adrien love like never before, and he was happy here. I understand their disappointment, but there is no darker secret. The truth is elsewhere — this is a political decision.

With hindsight, do you regret Adrien’s choice to come to Marseille?

No, never. Adrien was fulfilled here last season. We don’t regret choices. But it’s clear Longoria and Benatia are overwhelmed by their roles, eaten by ego, unable to control their emotions. They’re not the right men for this club.

What’s your priority now?

Finding a new club before September 1. Adrien must play. He cannot relive exclusion again. That’s the only priority now.

Interview by Philippe Sanfourche (RTL)