Marseille have made the difficult decision to drop star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from their squad for Sunday's clash against Le Havre AC, following a bizarre incident at the club's training ground that has sent shockwaves through French football.
The 36-year-old former Arsenal and Barcelona forward found himself at the centre of what sources are calling a "training ground prank gone wrong" at Marseille's La Commanderie facility on Thursday night. According to reports from L'Équipe, the trouble began when a group of players, frustrated by the team's enforced overnight stays at the training centre, decided to liven things up.
Aubameyang is said to have led roughly ten teammates on a tour through the sporting residence, with the intention of "creating some atmosphere." But what started as a playful attempt to boost morale quickly escalated when a fire extinguisher was allegedly used to spray Bob Tahri, a member of Marseille's sporting administration responsible for enforcing the squad's curfew. The extinguisher also reportedly targeted Tahri's bed and personal belongings.
The incident didn't sit well with Tahri, who reacted angrily and promptly reported the matter to senior club officials. In the world of professional football, where discipline and team cohesion are paramount, such behaviour crosses a clear line—especially when it involves property damage and targeting staff members.
Marseille's interim president Alban Juster and incoming president Stéphane Richard wasted no time in addressing the situation. They met with the squad on Friday to establish the facts before deciding that Aubameyang would be the one to face the consequences. The Gabon international has since issued apologies to both Tahri and the club hierarchy, but the damage was done.
For a player of Aubameyang's calibre—a proven goalscorer with over 300 career goals—this is an embarrassing chapter. It also raises questions about squad morale at a club that has struggled for consistency this season. With Marseille looking to climb the Ligue 1 table, losing their top scorer for a crucial fixture is far from ideal.
As for the rest of the squad, the message from management is clear: no matter how big the name, team rules apply to everyone. Whether this incident will blow over or leave lasting scars remains to be seen, but for now, Aubameyang will be watching Sunday's match from home.