Benatia breaks silence: "My truth has no price"

Medhi Benatia has decided to tell his side of the story in a France Football interview, bringing a turbulent chapter of his time at Marseille to an end. The ex-sporting director takes responsibility but also names those he holds accountable.

Benatia admits he «failed» in not leaving OM in the Champions League and failed to erase «deeply rooted mediocrity» at the club. On the coach's departure, he acknowledges: «It's also my responsibility that the team can't play with the same intensity in two consecutive matches». However, he also defends himself against criticism over the financial situation: «35 transfer market moves per window already existed before I arrived. What am I responsible for?»

The former director points to player behaviour, suggesting they «pick and choose which matches to play». He also criticizes Pablo Longoria, then club president, over an incident before the PSG match in the Champions Trophy in Kuwait. «I felt betrayed», he says. And he closes with his most striking quote: «I don't need to buy my silence. What I have to say is priceless».