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Hatem Ben Arfa expelled from Lille squad after row with manager
Published 16:23 6 Apr 2022 BST
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The Frenchman has made nine appearances this season
Former Newcastle United midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa has reportedly been excluded from the Lille squad following a row with manager Jocelyn Gourvennec. The 35-year-old, who signed a six-month deal with the French side in January, has failed to register a goal or assist in nine appearances.
Ben Arfa criticises tactics following Bordeaux draw
Lille were held to a goalless draw by Bordeaux at the weekend, and Ben Arfa is said to have reacted angrily to the disappointing result. An RMC Sport report states: "Lille are keeping Hatem Ben Arfa away from the group after his behavior was deemed inappropriate by the management." Get Football News France add that Ben Arfa ranted in the dressing room after the match, shouting: "We’re playing too deep here. We're not playing like a team that’s challenging for Europe. This isn't Guingamp!" Given that Gourvennec has previously coached Guingamp twice, the Frenchman's comments didn't go down well with his boss.
Where has Ben Arfa played since leaving Newcastle?
It is not the first time that the 35-year-old has clashed with a manager, with the attacking midfielder excluded from Newcastle's squad following a falling out with Alan Pardew - the Magpies manager at the time - eight years ago. Ben Arfa then joined Hull City on loan, but left the club after just four months when the Tigers released him. A successful campaign with Nice saw him earn a move to the Parc des Princes with Paris Saint-Germain. However, he failed to record a single appearance during his second season in the French capital. He then had brief spells at Rennes and Real Valladolid, before spending last season with Bordeaux - where he reportedly clashed with former Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny and manager Jean-Louis Gasset. Related links:Explore more on these topics:
