Naby Keita Werder Bremen 2023-24Getty
Peter McVitie

Naby Keita in hot water! Werder issue furious statement after ex-Liverpool star refuses to get on team bus for Bundesliga clash with Bayer Leverkusen

Werder Bremen midfielder Naby Keita refused to board the team's bus to their Bundesliga clash against Bayer Leverkusen, a team director said.

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  • Keita learned he was not in starting XI
  • Refused to board team bus for Leverkusen
  • Midfielder to be punished by the club

  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The Guinea star found out that he would not be in the starting XI for his team's trip to the BayArena on Sunday and decided against joining his team-mates on the bus. He instead opted to head back home, Clemens Fritz claims.

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  • Naby Keita Werder BremenGetty

    WHAT FRITZ SAID

    Managing director Fritz told reporters: "After Naby found out yesterday that he wouldn't be playing from the start, he decided not to get on the bus but to go home. We will talk to him and his advisor tomorrow about the consequences and how to proceed."

  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The former Liverpool star has hardly played for Bremen this season, making just five appearances - only one from the start - in the Bundesliga. He faces a punishment from the club for snubbing the journey, as coach Ole Werner told DAZN: "It annoys me and it will have consequences. I haven't spoken to him yet, but that will follow in the next few days."

  • Bayer Leverkusen Getty

    WHAT NEXT FOR BREMEN?

    If Leverkusen win Sunday's encounter against Bremen, Xabi Alonso's team will be crowned Bundesliga champions for the first time in their history. Bremen, meanwhile, sit 12th in the German top-flight and five points behind the relegation play-off place.