French football union questions Moroccan Medhi Benatia's statements on Marseille player

Moroccan former professional footballer Medhi Benatia, who currently works as Olympique de Marseille advisor, drew the ire of France’s National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) for his remarks about player Jonathan Clauss during an interview with Canal Football Club.

«I arrived in November. I was warned about two or three players whose behavior was sometimes a little borderline. Jonathan was one of those players», Benatia said.

He further elaborated, adding, «I know that he had been received several times in the coach's office to explain to him what was expected of him, in terms of attitude, as a leader, a French international. We thought the message had been sent, unfortunately, it was not».

In response, the UNFP denounced what they considered «harassment» towards Clauss.

⛔ En s’attaquant bassement à l’un des salariés du club, le défenseur international @Djoninho25 , le conseiller sportif de l’OM Medhi Benatia a franchi la ligne rouge.

Celle du harcèlement, qui consiste à livrer via la presse un footballeur à la vindicte populaire, à détourner… pic.twitter.com/damKsB7crQ

— UNFP (@UNFP) February 19, 2024

Benatia specifically focused on Clauss' behavior during the Marseille-Monaco match (2-2), stating, «Against Monaco, Jonathan asked for a change. And on such an important day, you have to tell him: 'You have to grit your teeth.' This is not the time where you can let go of me, because we are missing ten or twelve guys at this time. When you go out and we learn from the medical staff that it was a blow and that in fact, there was nothing in particular, that the player had asked to leave, all the staff, we are not happy».

The UNFP strongly objected to Benatia's comments, claiming he «delivered via the press a footballer to popular vindictiveness». They further criticized Benatia, stating, «In addition to lacking a minimum of respect towards the man, we are calling into question here the professional conscience of a player who would even be capable of simulating an injury».

The UNFP revealed they filed a complaint against «X» in the previous month related to similar situations.