Benatia Says Rowe‑Rabiot Fight Shook OM After Rennes Loss

Medhi Benatia, who was director of football at Olympique de Marseille at the time, said the altercation between Jonathan Rowe and Adrien Rabiot in the dressing room after the 1‑0 defeat to Rennes has deeply harmed the club. He described the episode as a major blow to the team's morale. Benatia made the comments as a guest on The Bridge, a YouTube programme hosted by Aurélien Tchouameni. The interview was posted on the channel following the match. The confrontation took place in the Marseille locker room immediately after the early‑season loss to Rennes. The 1‑0 result left the team disappointed and sparked tension among the players. According to Benatia, the incident has shaken the season for Olympique de Marseille. He emphasized that the dispute caused significant disruption within the squad. He identified the two players involved as Jonathan Rowe and Adrien Rabiot, both members of the first‑team squad. Their clash was described as an unexpected escalation. Benatia highlighted the emotional impact of the episode on the dressing‑room atmosphere. He suggested that the club must address the underlying issues to restore unity. No details were released regarding any disciplinary actions taken against the players. The club has not commented publicly on the matter. Looking ahead, Olympique de Marseille will need to move beyond the incident as the season progresses. Benatia hopes the team can refocus on its objectives.