Medhi Benatia launches fresh attack on ex-Marseille president Pablo Longoria over transfer budget

Medhi Benatia has launched a fresh attack on former Olympique de Marseille president Pablo Longoria, accusing his former colleague of misleading him over the club’s financial situation and transfer budget.

The Moroccan football executive, who worked alongside Longoria at the French club for two seasons, made the accusations during an interview with Canal Plus, revealing details of the disagreements that contributed to the deterioration of their relationship.

Relations between the pair reportedly became strained towards the end of their respective spells at the Stade Vélodrome, particularly during a turbulent period at the beginning of the year that eventually resulted in major changes within the club’s leadership.

The situation unfolded around the departure of head coach Roberto De Zerbi, whose exit triggered a wider restructuring that saw the manager, sporting director and president all leave their respective positions within a few months.

Benatia, who departed Marseille earlier this year, recalled a disagreement involving the club’s transfer plans during the January window, claiming that De Zerbi had been given a different understanding of the available recruitment budget.

According to the former defender, the Italian coach believed Marseille would have approximately €30 million available to sign a high-profile attacking player.

However, Benatia said he attempted to clarify that the club needed to generate around €35 million in revenue before making such a recruitment move.

“The manager (De Zerbi) thought that in the month of January we would have €30m to recruit a top lad up front. When I told him, ‘Coach, you haven’t understood; we need to bring in €35m!’, he told me, ‘What?!? But that’s not what I was told!’, ‘Well, me neither’,” Benatia explained.

The Moroccan did not hide his frustration when discussing the situation, directly accusing Longoria of providing misleading information about the club’s financial position.

“He lied to me anyway. I’ll say it on TV, he lied to me, of course he lied to me!” he declared.

Longoria has since moved on from Marseille and is now working in South America with Argentine giants River Plate.

Meanwhile, Marseille have continued to deal with the financial consequences of their previous spending commitments, with the club undertaking measures to reduce their wage bill and improve their financial position.

The French side were forced to part ways with several important players during the summer transfer window, while further departures are expected in January as the new leadership seeks to restore financial stability.

The club must also address commitments made to French football’s financial regulator, the DNCG, and UEFA as they work towards bringing their finances back into balance.

Benatia’s latest comments have therefore reopened the debate surrounding Marseille’s turbulent period, with his accusations providing further insight into the disagreements that emerged behind the scenes before the club’s major restructuring.