OM: Medhi Benatia settles scores with Pablo Longoria

Now the former sporting director of OM, Medhi Benatia broke his silence this Friday in an interview with France Football, set to be published this Saturday. It was an opportunity for the Moroccan to settle his scores with Pablo Longoria, the ex-president of OM.

The financial uncertainty currently facing OM is a direct result of the era led by Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia. By multiplying overloaded transfer windows and making abrupt changes in direction, the management left behind an unstable dressing room and a considerable financial hole. This chaotic management has proved extremely costly for OM, especially on the sporting side.

Asked to speak to France Football this Friday, Medhi Benatia dismissed the accusations and took a sharp swipe at the former Marseille president: "For those happy to write that it's Benatia who left OM in this financial situation, with 15 out of 23 players for sale, what do I have to do with it? The 35 moves per transfer window, that was happening before I arrived."

The former Morocco international also criticized the players' behavior during the pre-season training camp: "I saw the videos of the players in Ivory Coast, dancing, singing. Ask McCourt if he feels like singing. (...) And when I speak out, am I being too harsh? The players, you're not supposed to touch them. (...) No, sorry. It's the accumulation."

Read also: Spain: Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi together, UD Ibiza reacts

The Moroccan also looked back on the defeat in the Trophée des Champions played in Kuwait against PSG (2-2, 4-1 on penalties). Benatia described a moment when he "felt betrayed" and once again implicitly took aim at Pablo Longoria: "For me, the difference is that when I left Marseille, I asked for nothing, didn't sign any confidentiality agreement. No need to buy my silence. What I have to say is too expensive, the truth is priceless."

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

Related teams and leagues

Marseille