- Werder Bremen suspends Naby Keita until season end, imposes fine for refusing to participate in match against Bayer Leverkusen
- Sporting director criticizes Keita’s behaviour, emphasizing team disappointment and reaffirming the club’s commitment to discipline and cohesion
Werder Bremen has taken decisive action against Naby Keita, suspending him “until the end of the season” and imposing a significant fine following his refusal to participate in Sunday’s match against Bayer Leverkusen.
Before Sunday’s fixture, the former Liverpool midfielder was informed that he would not feature in the starting lineup. However, the 28-year-old did not join the team bus and returned home.
Clemens Fritz, Bremen’s sporting director, strongly disapproved of Keita’s conduct, stating that the club had no choice but to take action.
“We cannot tolerate Naby’s behaviour,” Fritz asserted, emphasizing that Keita had let down his team during a challenging period marked by recent struggles and squad availability issues. He criticized Keita for prioritizing his interests over those of the team, deeming such actions unacceptable.
The suspension and fine demonstrate Bremen’s commitment to upholding team discipline and cohesion, reaffirming that individual actions must align with the club’s collective objectives.