Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang dropped after fire-extinguisher training ground prank

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been dropped from Marseille’s squad this weekend after reportedly spraying a staff member with a fire extinguisher.

The ex-Arsenal captain was at the centre of a disturbance on Thursday night, after players were instructed to stay overnight at the club’s Robert Louis-Dreyfus training centre.

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According to reports, Aubameyang led a group of 10 players in throwing an impromptu party on their fourth night in the base.

With members of the Marseille squad growing frustrated over spending repeated nights, the 36-year-old is said to have orchestrated the gathering in an attempt to ‘create some atmosphere’.

L’Equipe report that Aubameyang led the group through various rooms in the facility, often referred to as La Commanderie.

But things got out of hand when the striker allegedly sprayed a fire extinguisher over Bob Tahri – a member of Marseille’s sporting administration – as well as his bed and belongings.

Tahri had been at the training ground to enforce the team’s curfew on behalf of the club’s sporting director.

Banned

Tahri, a former World Championship silver medallist in the steeplechase, is said to have reacted angrily to the incident and reported it to the Marseille hierarchy.

A meeting was then held on Friday between the players and interim president Alban Juster, and incoming president Stephane Richard.

The decision was then made to sanction Aubameyang, who was dropped from Marseille’s squad for Saturday’s away match against Le Havre.

L’Equipe added that the forward apologised to Tahri over the incident, who claimed he had only wanted to ‘liven things up’.

Meanwhile, other reports from France claim the players’ rooms were left in a state, with sources comparing the atmosphere to a ‘summer camp’.

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What is the situation at Marseille?

The recent Aubameyang incident comes after a dismal few months at Marseille, who have seen their season tail off.

Since the departure of Roberto De Zerbi in February, who has since taken charge of Tottenham, the French giants have seen their league position suffer.

They have won just once in the league since March 13, which has brought their hopes of Champions League qualification to an end.

Currently seventh in the Ligue 1 table with two games remaining, Marseille are now facing a battle to secure European football.

Marseille’s recent displays have sparked a strong reaction in the French media, with the entire team being given 0/10 ratings after a 3-0 defeat in their last outing at relegation-threatened Nantes.

Former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood took plenty of flak for his role in this, who was branded ‘scandalous’ by local newspaper La Provence in a damning assessment.

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Meanwhile Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri was recently dropped from the starting XI after concerns over his ‘day-to-day commitment’.

Controversial training ground lock-in

In response to the worrying run of form, Marseille boss Habib Beye and other club officials decided to enforce the overnight stay at the training ground to deliver a wake-up call, having been embarrassed by the attitude and commitment of the group.

This has proved controversial, with a labour lawyer in Paris earlier this week claiming the demands of the club on the players in this instance could be considered ‘harassment’. 

Pierre Vignal told radio station RMC: “This could very well constitute a form of harassment.

“From a legal standpoint, we’re dealing with a restriction of a fundamental freedom, namely the freedom of movement.”

Vingal added: “If we were to take this example from a normal company, it would be completely absurd.”