France

Puerile Ben Arfa Says Sorry

After refusing to warm-up with his team-mates after being named on the bench for yesterday’s ‘Classico’ match, which was won 4-2 by PSG, Hatem Ben Arfa has apologised for his immature behaviour…

Oct 27, 2008 5:25:53 PM

Ligue 1 : Hatem Ben Arfa (Olympique de Marseille)

Hatem Ben Arfa is a young player who clearly knows his own mind. In the summer months, he went AWOL from Lyon to train with Marseille, whom he refused to warm-up for during the defeat against PSG yesterday. Being named on the bench did not, evidently, please the winger.

“I am here to set the record straight,” the former Lyon man told a press conference today, “I was moved to a reaction [yesterday] because I am a competitor. When you are small you dream of playing in matches like that. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the coach, the club and the fans.”

Head coach Eric Gerets had already accepted an apology, stating earlier in the same conference, “I had a talk with the player and Dominique Coperly [Marseille assistant coach] in which we resolved the problem. He has even given us three kisses!”

Meanwhile, the players were not ready to accept Ben Arfa’s behaviour but, equally, they were not ready to condemn him. “This has not destabilised us,” said Laurent Bonnart, “We must all go in the same direction to get positive results. We have spoken to him. Hatem is still part of the collective.”

Robin Bairner

France

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