Jonathan Rowe and Adrien Rabiot Caused Chaos in Marseille Dressing Room as Medhi Benatia Explains Decision to Sell Pair

A Shocking Start to the Season

For a club like Olympique de Marseille, drama is almost part of the identity. The passion of the Velodrome, the weight of history, and the pressure of results mean emotions often run high. But what unfolded after their 1-0 defeat to Rennes on the opening weekend of the Ligue 1 season stunned even the most seasoned observers.

What began as a heated exchange of words between Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe inside the Marseille dressing room quickly escalated into a full-blown physical altercation. Witnesses claim punches were thrown, teammates had to be pulled apart, and even a young academy player collapsed from the tension of the situation.

Within days, Marseille’s hierarchy made a ruthless decision: both Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe would be shown the exit door. It was a drastic but, in the words of sporting director Medhi Benatia, a necessary act to “restore order” after what he described as a “scene of chaos” rarely seen in football.

What Happened in the Dressing Room?

According to reports and first-hand accounts, emotions boiled over immediately following the Rennes defeat. Marseille had been playing with a man advantage for over an hour yet still slumped to a frustrating 1-0 loss.

Rabiot, known for his outspoken personality, reportedly criticized the team’s lack of intensity and questioned the mentality of some teammates. Jonathan Rowe, the England U21 winger who joined the club full of promise, did not take kindly to the comments.

What started as verbal sparring quickly spiraled. Voices were raised, teammates stood up from their seats, and within seconds, fists were flying.

Benatia himself, a former captain who spent nearly two decades inside professional dressing rooms, admitted he had “never seen anything like it.” Security staff had to intervene to separate the two players. The incident left the squad shell-shocked, with young midfielder Bakola collapsing amid the turmoil in what Benatia described as a “vagal malaise.”

Benatia’s Candid Explanation

Speaking to RMC Sport, Benatia pulled no punches as he laid bare the reasoning behind Marseille’s immediate decision to sell both players:

“There are key players who came back frustrated, who started to make comments to the whole team… that we have to do more, that we’re at Olympique de Marseille, and you can’t afford to lose like that against a team playing with ten men. Until then, it was just words. But then it got heated, people got up, they shouted. Normally, in a locker room, a few guys step in and calm it down. Not here. We got into physical confrontations, punches. Security had to separate players. Where are we? We’re here to play football.”

For Benatia, words were one thing—healthy debate after a loss is part of football. But once it turned physical, there was no going back. The credibility of the management, the authority of new coach Roberto De Zerbi, and the unity of the squad were all at stake. Selling both Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe became less of an option and more of an imperative.

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The Bigger Picture: A Club in Crisis Management

Instead of building momentum at the start of the season, Marseille find themselves in crisis mode just weeks into the campaign. The fallout from the dressing room fight has forced the club to prioritize damage control over reinforcing the squad in the transfer market.

Rabiot, who only recently joined OM and was expected to bring leadership and experience, is already being shopped to Serie A clubs. Jonathan Rowe, meanwhile, is reportedly close to completing a move to Bologna, cutting short what was supposed to be his breakout season in France.

For a club that has made Champions League qualification its top priority, the loss of two squad members—particularly one as experienced as Rabiot—could be damaging. Depth will be tested, and De Zerbi will now have to navigate not only tactical challenges but also the lingering psychological scars left by the incident.

The Culture of the Dressing Room

Dressing room disputes are nothing new in football. From Roy Keane’s infamous clashes at Manchester United to more recent altercations at PSG, tempers flare in high-pressure environments. But rarely do such conflicts spill over into physical violence so early in a season.

Benatia’s comments point to a wider cultural issue: the need to set clear standards of behavior. At a club like Marseille, where the fans demand passion but also expect professionalism, allowing such an incident to slide would have set a dangerous precedent.

By taking swift, decisive action, Benatia has sent a clear message: no player is bigger than the collective, and discipline comes first.

What This Means for Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe

For Adrien Rabiot, this episode could mark yet another controversial chapter in a career often defined by off-field drama as much as on-field talent. The French international has long carried a reputation for being outspoken, sometimes to the detriment of his relationships with clubs. While his quality is unquestionable, his time at Marseille now looks to be over before it ever truly began.

Jonathan Rowe, on the other hand, faces a different kind of crossroads. The young winger had only just arrived in Ligue 1, hoping to establish himself at a higher level after shining in England’s youth setup. But instead of making headlines for his performances, his name is now associated with chaos. A move to Bologna may give him the fresh start he needs, but the shadow of this incident could linger.

The Challenge for Roberto De Zerbi

For Roberto De Zerbi, the timing of this crisis could hardly be worse. Tasked with guiding Marseille back into Ligue 1 contention and through the Champions League qualifiers, the Italian coach must now rebuild trust within the dressing room.

Keeping the squad united after such a public fallout is no easy task. Players will inevitably take sides, and the lingering memory of the fight could resurface if results falter. De Zerbi’s man-management skills will be tested to the limit, and how he handles the next few weeks may well define his tenure in Marseille.

What Next for Marseille?

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The immediate priority is clear: restore order, rebuild trust, and refocus on football. That means offloading Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe as quickly as possible to avoid distractions. It also means reinforcing the squad before the transfer deadline closes, ideally with players who can both contribute on the pitch and bring stability off it.

Marseille supporters, famous for their fiery passion, will be demanding answers but also expecting results. The club cannot afford for this episode to derail the entire season.

Conclusion

Jonathan Rowe and Adrien Rabiot caused chaos in Marseille dressing room as Medhi Benatia explains decision to sell pair is more than a dramatic headline—it’s a sobering reminder of how fragile team dynamics can be in modern football.

Marseille now stand at a crossroads. By cutting ties with both players, Benatia has shown authority and decisiveness. But the true test will be whether De Zerbi and his squad can move past this moment, regain stability, and focus on what really matters: competing on the pitch and delivering results for the fans.

For Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe, the incident will follow them wherever they go. For Marseille, the season is just beginning, but the lessons from this explosive opening chapter may shape the months ahead.