April 16, (THEWILL) – Werder Bremen have taken decisive action against midfielder Naby Keita, suspending him “until the end of the season” and issuing a “substantial fine” after he refused to play against Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday.
The 28-year-old former Liverpool player was informed prior to the trip to Leverkusen that he would not be in the starting lineup. Following this, Keita refused to board the team bus, instead opting to go home.
Commenting on the situation, Werder Bremen’s Sporting Director, Clemens Fritz, clearly spelt out the club’s intolerance for Keita’s behaviour. “We won’t tolerate Naby’s behaviour,” he said in a statement, adding that the club had “no alternative” but to take disciplinary action.
Fritz further elaborated that Keita “let his team down in a time of difficulty surrounding our recent run of form and squad availability” and “put his own interests above those of the team.” He emphasised that such actions cannot be condoned.
Keita, who joined Werder Bremen as a free agent in the summer of 2023, has only managed to make five appearances in all competitions, failing to score or provide any assists. The player’s suspension comes as a blow to the club itself, who currently sit 12th in the league, just five points clear of the relegation play-off spot.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
