Mehdi Benatia questions Marseille’s finances and player commitment in France Football interview

Mehdi Benatia has launched a pointed defence of his record as former sporting director of Olympique de Marseille, while admitting he failed to solve some of the club’s sporting problems and accusing certain players of carefully choosing when to perform.

In a wide-ranging interview due to be published by France Football on Saturday, Benatia reflects on his difficult spell at the French club, which ended in a highly publicised split. His comments combine an acceptance of personal responsibility with strong criticism of former president Pablo Longoria, as well as players he believes have not consistently given their best.

Benatia says his biggest mistake was reversing his decision to resign in February. He accepts that he must take responsibility for the failures during his time in charge, including Marseille’s Champions League exit and his inability to lift the club from what he describes as the “chronic quagmire in which it is unfortunately drowning”.

“I really did fail. When the coach decided to leave because he was unable to make the team perform consistently in two matches in a row, then, as sporting director, I accept my share of that failure without any hesitation,” he said.

However, Benatia strongly rejects suggestions that he was responsible for Marseille’s financial difficulties. He says criticism of his role has ignored the club’s long-standing transfer practices and argues that the problems predated his arrival.

“As for those who gloat that Benatia is the one who left Marseille in this financial mess, with 15 of the 23 players being offered for sale, I ask them: where was my responsibility? The club had 35 transfers in every window long before I arrived,” he said.

His most forceful comments concern the attitude of some players. Benatia claims certain members of the squad “pick their matches according to their whims” and says his willingness to speak openly has led to accusations that he exaggerates.

“When I speak honestly, they accuse me of exaggerating. But let me make this clear: do not mess with genuinely professional players,” he said.

Benatia also recalled seeing footage of players dancing and singing during their training camp in Ivory Coast this summer. He contrasted those scenes with the club’s difficult circumstances and directly referred to Marseille owner Frank McCourt.

“I watched videos of players at their training camp in Ivory Coast this summer, dancing and singing happily. Ask the owner McCourt whether he feels like singing and celebrating in these deteriorating circumstances,” he said.

The former sporting director also revisited events before Marseille’s Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain in Kuwait. That match ended 2-2 before Marseille lost 4-1 on penalties, an episode Benatia described as “the great moment of betrayal”, in an apparent reference to Longoria’s role at the time.

Benatia concluded by insisting that he left Marseille without seeking financial compensation or signing confidential agreements. He said he had not been paid to remain silent and promised that his account would carry significant consequences.

“The difference between me and others is that I asked for nothing when I left, and I did not sign any agreements to remain silent. No-one can buy my silence. What I will reveal is very costly, because the truth is priceless,” he said.

The full interview will appear in France Football on Saturday and is expected to provoke a strong reaction across French football.