Ex-Gunner dropped after prank

Ex-Gunner dropped after prank

The former Arsenal forward has been punished internally, but his longer-term Marseille future also now uncertain.

Photo by CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU/AFP via Getty Images

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been left out of Marseille’s squad for tonight’s trip to Le Havre after a training-ground incident involving a fire extinguisher.

The former Arsenal forward was punished internally after spraying sporting co-ordinator Bob Tahri during late-night shenanigans at the Commandery, according to La Provence.

The report says the atmosphere had been tense before the situation developed into a wider ruckus, with rooms left in disorder and duffel-bag battles among the players.

Geronimo Rulli, Facundo Medina, Benjamin Pavard and Jurrien Timber‘s brother, Quinten Timber were among those named in the group involved, with Aubameyang identified as the player who sprayed Tahri.

There are, however, differing accounts of the incident.

Around OM, it was claimed that Medhi Benatia was the intended target not Tahri. From Aubameyang’s side, the incident was described as a joke that went too far, with Tahri initially involved in the general fun.

Photo by LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images

The report says the episode was not ultimately treated as an aggressive one, although one Marseille official initially described it that way before changing their mind. Even so, the club considered it serious enough for interim president Alban Juster and incoming president Stéphane Richard to attend the training ground on Friday.

Aubameyang apparently considered issuing a statement but decided not to, in order to avoid worsening the situation. He has apologised to Tahri, the presidents and Benatia.

“He made a fool of him­self, got hit on the fin­gers and apo­lo­gised. This story could have been settled intern­ally,” someone close to the players told La Provence.

Aubameyang is expected to miss only the Le Havre match, with the punishment likely to be lifted before Marseille host Rennes.

His longer-term future remains uncertain, however. He is under contract until 2027, but La Provence reports that a departure this summer is now closer than ever, with Marseille’s failure to qualify for the Champions League affecting salary plans across the squad.