Marseille Faces Challenges: Rabiot, Rowe Transfer Listed

Marseille, France (AP) - August 20: Marseille's football season has encountered early challenges following the decision to transfer list key players Adrien Rabiot, a French international midfielder, and Jonathan Rowe, an England Under-21 forward. The pair were instructed to leave the club after what was deemed "unacceptable behavior." Following a 1-0 defeat to Rennes, where Rennes secured victory with a stoppage-time goal despite being reduced to ten players, Rabiot and Rowe reportedly engaged in a confrontation within the team’s locker room.

This decision presents a significant challenge to coach Roberto De Zerbi's team-building strategies merely a week before the 1993 Champions League victors participate in the draw for this season's competition.

"This decision was taken due to unacceptable behavior in the dressing room after the match against Rennes," stated Marseille in an official announcement. The club has sidelined Rabiot and Rowe by mutual agreement with the technical team and in alignment with the club's code of conduct. The team’s majority stakeholder, Frank McCourt, a former Los Angeles Dodgers proprietor, supports the decision.

Marseille gained entry into the Champions League after finishing as runners-up to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 during De Zerbi's debut season as coach.

The 30-year-old Rabiot joined Marseille as a free agent the previous September, following the expiration of his Juventus contract. Concurrently, Rowe transferred from English second-tier Norwich in a transaction that commenced with an initial loan, later becoming permanent as the current season approached.

The European transfer window concludes on September 1. (AP)

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