Hatem Ben Arfa and Djibril Cissé already fighting…

By: Magnusson | July 16th, 2008

If asked which one of our players had the biggest ego, I’m pretty sure most people would answer either “Djibril Cissé” or “Hatem Ben Arfa“, or both. That might be true since the two have been. Or at least they’re “acting” like they have bigger egos than most people. And apparently these two firey tempers have already started making sparkles (in the worst possible way).
According to Lyon Capitale (I’m gonna have to ask Inara how credible that newspaper is), Hatem Ben Arfa and Djibril Cissé clashed during the Evian training camp after a session because the tattooed striker hard fouled the young recruit. Both known for their hot tempers, this incident that happened many days ago still had not been reported by the Marseille press.
Now I don’t know if this is true but the response of the club to the allegations is:

“We are saddened by the fact that his image is always more credible to you (i.e. the journalists) than what the reality is! If he speaks a little loud, it won’t be wrongly interpreted.”

So the altercation must have happened but I don’t know if it needs to be downplayed or blown up like last year’s alterfcation between Ben Arfa and Squillacci.
This is the first point for the people who were warning us about his temper. But don’t do the “I told you so” dance just yet.

Category: French Ligue 1, Misc..., Players, Rumors

Tags: Djibril Cissé, French Ligue 1, hatem benarfa, Misc..., Players, Rumors

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Comments  

• Martha |  July 16th, 2008 at 12:20 pm

  
  
  

  The press will make a huge deal of it because of who they are, but the fact is that there are scuffles in training all the time, it’s just that we usually don’t hear about them. Unless it becomes a pattern, I doubt it’s a big deal.

  Posted from United States

  

• ursus arctos |  July 16th, 2008 at 12:51 pm

  
  
  

  LyonCapitale isn’t a newspaper; it’s a website.

  It was once a weekly, sort of on the model of New York and its progeny (but much less well funded), but I think that they’ve given up their print presence entirely.

  Djibril is grumpy because they are making him wearing that ridiculous top.

  Posted from Italy

  

• richard |  July 16th, 2008 at 12:56 pm

  
  
  

  that’s the most conventional look i’ve seen Djibril sport in a long time…

  Posted from United States

  

• ursus arctos |  July 16th, 2008 at 1:35 pm

  
  
  

  That’s the problem with it.

  He looks like he’s auditioning for Caddyshack III.

  Posted from Italy

  

• Inara |  July 16th, 2008 at 1:37 pm

  
  
  

  LyonCapitale is pretty local and not anything like L’Equipe or FranceFootball, but they are usually credible, and they often get insider scoops and exclusive bits of info/footage. That being said, it’s pro-OL, more or less, so they aren’t 100% neutral or anything.

  Anyway, I said this on the OL blog, but I don’t think this incident is something to be concerned about, but both players have negative reputations as troublemakers that will constantly be thrown in their faces by the media, and that’s something that could be more harmful in the long run than the actual fights themselves.

  Posted from United States

  

• John |  July 16th, 2008 at 6:36 pm

  
  
  

  Magnusson: With the acquisition of Ben Arfa and if Cisse stays, what type of formation do forsee and what might Geret’s starting line-up for the beginning of the season look like?

  Posted from Costa Rica

  

• Magnusson |  July 17th, 2008 at 3:29 am

  
  
  

  Well John, let me take a crack at it.
  First of all, Mandanda is of course our keeper, if he doesn’t egt injured.
  Then Bonnart and taiwo will both be right and left-backs.
  The main problem will be the defense. We have already sold Faty but Givet and Zubar are here and probably won’t both stay. There have been rumors that Givet might go back to Monaco but the Panathinaikos has been interested in the ex-Monaco captain. Then again, Givet likes challenges and could finally stay to fight for his position. Julien Rodriguez will be back soon and El Amin Erbate and Vittorino Hilton have been working out quite well. Add to that Renato Civelli, we’ll have to wait and see, but I believe it will be “the best player during practice gets to play”.
  In the midfield Cana and Cheyrou will start for sure even though Kaboré and M’bami have been kept for a reason. There will be a lot of speculation since we’re still trying to get a defensive midfield.
  The upfront is a little easier to figure out. Koné on the right, Valbuena in the middle, Ben Arfa on the left, Cissé and Niang up top. Zenden will try to get a position and so will Ayew and Grandin. Arrache will certainly leave but we’ll have to wait and see a few more friendlies before we are sure of anything

  Posted from France

  

• Julien |  July 17th, 2008 at 11:27 am

  
  
  

  Drama at Massilia.

  Posted from United States

  

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