logo
Rabiot, Rowe put up for sale by Marseille after bust-up

Rabiot, Rowe put up for sale by Marseille after bust-up

New Straits Times18 hours ago
MARSEILLE: Marseille duo Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe were placed on the club's transfer list Tuesday after a physical altercation following the 1-0 loss at Rennes in the Ligue 1 season opener.
France midfielder Rabiot and England Under-21 forward Rowe were involved in a heated exchange in the team's dressing room after Friday's match, which Rennes won with a stoppage-time goal despite playing for an hour with 10 men.
Marseille called the players' behaviour "unacceptable" in a brief club statement which explained the decision to put both of them up for sale. Rabiot and Rowe were informed of the news on Monday, it said.
Rabiot's mother and agent, Veronique, told RTL radio earlier on Tuesday that Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi had taken the decision due to a "lack of commitment."
Marseille initially denied reports of a fight, but a source close to the club confirmed to AFP a report from French sports daily L'Equipe that said "blows were exchanged between the two men."
The 30-year-old Rabiot joined Marseille last season after five years with Juventus and helped the club qualify for the Champions League.
It is not his first run-in with club or country though, having left Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 after being sidelined for six months over a contract issue.
He also refused to go on France's standby list ahead of the 2018 World Cup and was not selected by coach Didier Deschamps for two years as a result.
Rowe, 22, signed from Norwich last year and scored three times in 28 games in his first season in Ligue 1.--AFP
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kevin Trapp signs for Paris FC from Eintracht Frankfurt
Kevin Trapp signs for Paris FC from Eintracht Frankfurt

The Sun

time4 hours ago

  • The Sun

Kevin Trapp signs for Paris FC from Eintracht Frankfurt

GERMAN international goalkeeper Kevin Trapp has returned to France for a second spell, signing for newly-promoted Paris FC from Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt. The 35-year-old, capped nine times, has signed a three-year contract with Paris FC, who are backed by the Arnaults, one of the world's wealthiest families. They opened their campaign in disappointing fashion with a 1-0 defeat away at Angers on Sunday. Paris FC is proud to welcome Kevin, the club said in a statement. Trapp previously played for their city rivals Paris Saint-Germain from 2015 to 2018. He was a regular in the side that won the Ligue 1 title in 2016 before gradually falling out of favour. He returned to Eintracht on loan in 2018 before signing permanently. Trapp played in the side that won the Europa League in 2022. He was man of the match in the final against Rangers. He then helped Eintracht finish third in the Bundesliga last term. This was the first time they had made the top three since 1993. He will bring the experience at the top level that for the moment is lacking in 22-year-old Obed Nkambadio. Nkambadio was first choice last season and played in the Angers game. Paris FC's next challenge is away in the febrile atmosphere of the Stade Velodrome at Marseille.

Neuer capable of making Germany comeback for 2026 World Cup
Neuer capable of making Germany comeback for 2026 World Cup

New Straits Times

time5 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Neuer capable of making Germany comeback for 2026 World Cup

BERLIN: Former Germany midfielder Thomas Muller has joined those saying that former teammate Manuel Neuer is capable of making a comeback for the 2026 World Cup, if needed, German Press Agency (dpa) reported. "If Manuel is fit at that point and playing in goal for Bayern Munich, then I have every confidence in him as Germany's number one at the 2026 World Cup," he told Wednesday's edition of the Sport Bild weekly. Muller just moved to Vancouver Whitecaps from Bayern, where he played for years alongside Neuer. They were also teammates at the Germany national team, winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Neuer, 39, retired from the national team after Euro 2024 last summer. However, his successor Marc-Andre ter Stegen is sidelined for months following back surgery. Ter Stegen's situation at Barcelona is also not looking good, as he is likely to be only the third goalkeeper there this season. A possible transfer is unlikely until January due to the injury. In view of this situation, there have been calls from other former greats for Neuer's return. "The best should play. Manu showed at the Club World Cup that he hasn't lost any of his skills. He and Ter Stegen are our outstanding goalkeepers. The others are good, but that's not enough to win the World Cup title," former Germany captain Lotthar Matthuus told Kicker sports magazine. Former Bayern and West Germany goalkeeper great Sepp Meier told t-online that it would be "the best solution if Neuer could now be persuaded to return to the national team." He recommended that Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann asks Neuer if he would be willing to help out again "in this situation."

Speedy Tigers fitness at 80 percent for Asia Cup 2025
Speedy Tigers fitness at 80 percent for Asia Cup 2025

The Sun

time7 hours ago

  • The Sun

Speedy Tigers fitness at 80 percent for Asia Cup 2025

THE national hockey squad's fitness level stands at 80 percent ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup in Bihar, India. Head coach Sarjit Singh confirmed the team's condition during a squad announcement press conference. He stated that fitness improvements followed almost seven weeks of intensive training at the National Sports Institute. Sarjit Singh explained, 'I mean fitness we have done with the NSI routine.' He added, 'The chamber run (drill for explosive bursts) was good for about six to seven weeks.' The coach acknowledged, 'So we are prepared.' He noted, 'But other teams also are well prepared too.' Sarjit Singh observed, 'As we know South Korea, China and Japan have fitness levels that are really different.' He expressed confidence by stating, 'But we are getting there.' The coach revealed, '(This is) Because after the Nations Cup (in June), we had a few injuries.' He explained, 'So we need to recover from that as well.' Sarjit Singh concluded, 'Hence, we are moving slowly in the right direction.' Malaysia finds itself in Group B alongside South Korea, Bangladesh and Taiwan. The national squad will depart for India this Friday according to the coach. They will play two friendly matches against the host country and China. These matches will serve as preparation before their tournament campaign begins. The Speedy Tigers finished as runners-up in the 2022 edition of the tournament. They aim to secure a slot for the 2026 World Cup through this competition. This requires emerging as champions of the 2025 Asian Cup according to qualification rules. Sarjit Singh highlighted additional tournament significance beyond the title hunt. He emphasized the event as a platform to maintain Malaysia's Asian ranking position. The coach specifically mentioned maintaining number two status in FIH rankings. The Asia Cup runs from August 29 to September 7 in Bihar, India. - Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store