Neom defender Malang Sarr confronted in Marbella over agent commission dispute

Neom defender Malang Sarr was confronted by a group of men at a luxury hotel in Marbella, in an incident linked to a financial dispute with one of his former agents.

The 27-year-old Frenchman had joined the Saudi Arabian club on a free transfer from Lens only days earlier when the confrontation took place during Neom’s pre-season camp in Spain, held from 10 to 31 July.

According to information reported by Le Parisien, citing L’Equipe, several French men went to the restaurant area reserved for the Neom squad and asked to see Sarr. The group allegedly threatened witnesses before taking the player by force towards the staircase leading to the hotel bar.

A loud and heated argument then broke out, shocking people nearby. L’Equipe described the incident as an “ambush” carried out during the summer.

Sarr told L’Equipe that he had not been assaulted. However, several hotel guests said they had seen a tense confrontation close to the bar.

The dispute reportedly centred on a commission connected to Sarr’s move to Neom. The transfer is expected to earn the defender about 15m euros net after tax through his salary and bonuses.

His former agent did not receive a commission from the deal but believed his involvement in completing the transfer entitled him to financial compensation. The agent was reportedly angered by the loss of what would have been a significant payment.

Sarr refused to pay compensation despite the pressure placed on him, according to the report.

The men left the hotel after noticing its security cameras, departing only minutes before Spanish police arrived. Sarr did not file a complaint over the incident.

He has since continued his career without interruption and has become an important member of Christophe Galtier’s Neom side. The defender has played every minute of the Saudi club’s eight matches since the start of the season.