- Sakho was reportedly called a “cry baby,” which apparently sparked the altercation
- He claimed that he refuses to take the blame for the incident at his departure station
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Former Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has left Montpellier with immediate effect after a reported physical altercation with manager Michel Der Zakarian.
According to L’EquipeSakho grabbed Der Zakarian by the collar and knocked him to the ground in front of several witnesses during a burglary at the training ground.
The confrontation is said to have been sparked when Sakho was not given a foul by Der Zakarian during training and the Armenian called him a ‘cry baby’, and Sakho left the training field after layers and staff quickly intervened to prevent the attack. situation escalates further.
Sakho was suspended by the club after the incident and risked being fired, but he did not leave the club for good – apparently of his own accord.
The 33-year-old released a statement on Thursday, roughly translated by Fabrizio Romanoin which he explained his departure, but maintained his innocence during the altercation and refused to take any share of the blame.
Mamadou Sakho has left Montpellier after an altercation with the club’s manager on the training ground
The defender confirmed his departure on social media on Thursday and maintained his innocence over the altercation
Michel Der Zakarian (pictured) reportedly called Sakho a ‘cry baby’ before being grabbed by the collar and knocked to the ground
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“You need to know how to leave the table when respect is no longer served,” the statement began.
‘Following the incident that took place last week at the training center and for which I decline all responsibility, I have decided on this day of 11/2/2023 to end my collaboration with Montpellier Herault Sports Club.
‘I spent two years at this family club, where I enjoyed sharing my high-level experience with my teammates and my ‘little brothers’ from the training center. At the same time, I think they were helped flawlessly, as well as the medical matters, without forgetting the supporters who appreciated my time at the club.
‘Thanks also to sports director Bruno Carotti for his loyalty to me during my adventure (at) Montpellier.
“Finally, I would like to extend a special thank you to the President, Laurent Nicollin, who, like his late father before him, leads the MHSC with the values and principles that I hold dear.
“We met as men, let us leave as men. Happy end to the season, Mamadou Sakho.”
Sakho played eight years in the Premier League, including three and a half years with Jurgen Klopp (left) and Liverpool
He spent the rest of the time at Crystal Palace before leaving England to join Montpellier
Sakho joined Montpellier from Crystal Palace in 2021 after eight years in the Premier League: three and a half years at Liverpool and four and a half years at Palace.
He made a combined 155 appearances for the two clubs before returning to his home country of France, where he made 45 appearances for Ligue 1 in just over two years.
Michel Der Zakarian returned for a second spell as Montpellier manager in February this year and reportedly branded Sakho a ‘cry baby’ before tensions rose.
Sakho was told in the summer that he was no longer part of Der Zakarian’s plans, but could not get a transfer elsewhere.