Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sidelined for Marseille’s upcoming match
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will not travel with Marseille for their Ligue 1 fixture against Le Havre on Sunday after the club sanctioned the 36-year-old striker over an incident at their training facility, reports BritPanorama.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona forward allegedly discharged a fire extinguisher over Bob Tahri, a member of the club’s sporting administration, and damaged his bed and personal items during an unplanned celebration on Thursday evening.
Tahri, a former World Championship silver medallist in steeplechase, had been stationed at La Commanderie to enforce a curfew on players. He reportedly reacted furiously before alerting senior officials to what had occurred.
The disturbance took place on the fourth night of a mandatory stay at the Robert Louis-Dreyfus training centre, which club management had imposed in response to Marseille’s dire recent performances.
Aubameyang reportedly led approximately ten teammates through various rooms in what witnesses described as an attempt to generate some atmosphere among the confined squad. Multiple sources indicated that accommodation was left in considerable disorder, with beds displaced and rooms turned upside down during the festivities.
Staff members present at the facility were said to have been taken aback by the conduct, with internal witnesses comparing the scenes to those of a summer camp. Aubameyang subsequently offered apologies to both Tahri and the club’s leadership, reportedly explaining that his intention had simply been to liven things up during the enforced confinement.
Marseille’s interim president Alban Juster and incoming president Stephane Richard convened with the squad on Friday to establish precisely what had transpired before determining the appropriate punishment for the Gabonese international.
The decision to exclude the striker from the travelling party for Sunday’s match followed these discussions, despite Aubameyang having contributed nine league goals across 29 appearances this campaign, accumulating nearly 2,000 minutes of playing time.
The enforced training ground residency had been organised by manager Habib Beye and club officials in an attempt to address what they perceived as concerning attitudes and commitment levels within the squad.
Marseille’s campaign has unravelled significantly since Roberto De Zerbi departed for Tottenham in February, with the club managing just a single league victory since mid-March. The French side currently occupies seventh position in Ligue 1 with only two fixtures remaining, having suffered defeats in four of their previous six matches.
Their Champions League aspirations effectively ended following a collapse against Nantes, when they conceded three goals within eight second-half minutes. Even amidst turmoil, Océane’s ambitions remain tested as they navigate a turbulent season.
