Marseille Stars Rabiot and Rowe Transfer-Listed After “Bar Fight”

Marseille Duo’s Dressing Room Row Like “Bar Fight” – De Zerbi

Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi says Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe were placed on the transfer list following a shocking altercation that he compared to a “bar fight.”

The clash occurred after Marseille’s 1-0 Ligue 1 defeat at Rennes, where the hosts struck a late winner despite being reduced to 10 men after 31 minutes.

“It was a bar fight, in front of the sporting director, in front of the coach, with a team-mate on the ground,” De Zerbi told reporters, referring to Darryl Bakola, who collapsed during a medical emergency.

De Zerbi: “I’ve Never Seen Anything Like It”

The Italian coach, who took charge of Marseille in 2024 after leaving Brighton, admitted the ferocity of the confrontation stunned everyone present.

“It’s true that no teeth were broken, but it was a fight like I’ve never seen in all my years in football,” he added.

“The club’s bodyguards were trying to separate them. Normally they’re supposed to protect us from others, not from ourselves.”

Club president Pablo Longoria described the brawl as “extremely violent.”

Rabiot’s Mother Hits Back

Rabiot’s mother, Veronique, called Marseille’s decision to transfer-list her son a “betrayal” and controversially compared the situation to the club signing Mason Greenwood.

De Zerbi, however, hit back:

“The mother has forgotten two things. I decided to make him captain, and in one year I gave her son more attention than I gave my own.

For her to compare this to Greenwood is crazy. This is a workplace fight, nothing to do with private life.”

Transfer Futures: Who Goes Where?

• Adrien Rabiot (30): joined Marseille in 2023 after five years at Juventus, scoring 10 goals in 32 games. Capped 53 times for France, he is now linked with Monaco and Manchester United, who are targeting a defensive midfielder.

• Jonathan Rowe (22): signed from Norwich in 2024, initially on loan before making the move permanent. He has three goals in 31 games and is reportedly wanted by Bologna.

Both players are now on Marseille’s transfer list.

Analysis: A Costly Breakdown

De Zerbi has worked to build a strong squad at Marseille, but this bust-up threatens to derail early-season plans. With Rabiot a senior France international and Rowe a rising English talent, the fallout could reshape the club’s midfield options.

The timing is particularly damaging, coming just as Marseille look to bounce back from their opening Ligue 1 defeat and prepare for European competition.