Ali Zarrak reprimanded by Marseille after hitting back at Papin
Zarrak answered Jean-Pierre Papin's harassment claims in L'Équipe without club approval, and Marseille have told him off, though he is not expected to leave.
Ali Zarrak, Medhi Benatia's former right-hand man and still in the Marseille staff structure, has been called to order by the club after a sharp reply to Jean-Pierre Papin. In an interview with L'Équipe he flatly denied the «moral harassment» the 1991 Ballon d'Or winner says he suffered during Papin's spell running the reserve side between November 2023 and June 2025.
Zarrak calls the claims «completely false» and says an external inquiry found no harassment on his part. He also accused Papin of taking liberties and described his coaching career as very, very low level. According to RMC Sport, he did not seek the management's approval, which the protocol requires for this kind of interview, although he warned his bosses the day before publication.
The board has reproached him, but for now there are no plans to part ways.
Marseille
Le MansSunday 22 November · 14:45Kick-off, where to watch and line-ups →How Marseille are doing
Latest results
Marseille: we’ll remind you before every match
An hour before every match we email you the kick-off time and where to watch, and the final score at full time. Free.
Make your predictions for LaLiga, the Champions League and more, and compete with your friends on TuFutbolero.
Sign up