The ongoing dispute between Adrien Rabiot’s representatives and Olympique de Marseille has intensified this week, with Rabiot’s mother and agent, Veronique, providing a revealing interview to La Provence on Friday morning.
Marseille reportedly took measures to place Rabiot and English winger Jonathan Rowe on the transfer list. This decision followed a contentious altercation, allegedly involving physical violence, after an opening day 1-0 defeat to Stade Rennais last Friday. However, Veronique Rabiot has stood firm in her defense of her son, vehemently criticizing Marseille’s key figures – Pablo Longoria, Medhi Benatia, and head coach Roberto De Zerbi – accusing them of “lying” and being unfit for their roles.
“It’s a betrayal. They praised him [Adrien] for a season and then shot him down and smeared his image. It’s very serious. I’ll say it again: they’re lying,” Veronique asserted in the published interview. She added, “And I’ll add that they’re not up to the job. They don’t have the right profile for the position. They’re consumed by pride and oversized egos, and they’re incapable of managing their emotions.”
Rabiot then drew attention to what she perceived as a blatant double standard within the club. She highlighted, “When Mason Greenwood signed after hitting his girlfriend, De Zerbi said he could be given a second chance. I agree with giving people second chances, but would my son be the only one not entitled to one?”
Roberto De Zerbi is scheduled to appear at his pre-match press conference later this afternoon, prior to Les Olympiens’ encounter with newly-promoted Paris FC at the Stade Vélodrome on Saturday afternoon.