UNFP accuses Medhi Benatia of ‘bullying’ Jonathan Clauss | OneFootball

“I arrived in the month of November and I was warned about two or three players, whose behaviour was sometimes a bit borderline. Jonathan Clauss was one of those players,” Olympique de Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia told Canal Plus on Sunday.

The public criticism from Benatia, who had not spoken publicly since taking on his first role in club management, came as a shock, however, he did not stop there, going on Prime Video Sport later the same day, stating that Clauss had “behavioural issues”.

The Morrocan said that the France international’s behaviour has improved “a little bit” following talks, however, it was no secret that Marseille were prepared to sell the former RC Lens defender towards the end of the January transfer window, however, no bid arrived.

Benatia’s comments have now elicited the intervention of the UNFP, France’s football player union. “After what has been chucked out, it won’t be easy for him (Clauss) to show the qualities on the field that have made him a defender that Didier Deschamps has counted on ahead of the upcoming EUROS and it is not certain that after such harassment, that a player will be interested in the former Lens player and break the piggy-bank next summer when he will have just one year remaining on his contract.”

In the UNFP publication, posted on Instagram, Benatia was then accused of “bullying” Clauss through his two media appearances over the weekend, adding that the Moroccan had “lacked any respect towards the man”.

Benatia’s comments come at a time of crisis at Marseille. Whilst Gennaro Gattuso’s departure as manager is yet to be made official, it is expected that Jean-Louis Gasset will be hired on an interim basis until the end of the season. Currently languishing in ninth, a revival of epic proportions is required to achieve European football for next season.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle