02 November 2023 , 21:49
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Former Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has sensationally quit Montpellier after being accused of attacking the club’s manager.
The Frenchman was suspended last week by the Ligue 1 outfit last week after a furious showdown with Michel Der Zakarian. According to reports in France, he allegedly grabbed his manager by the collar and threw him to the ground.
The supposed clash is claimed to have been triggered by Sakho not being given a foul in training. He has now decided to quit Montpellier - and failed to mention Der Zakarian during his farewell message. Taking to social media, he said: “You have to know how to leave the table when respect is no longer served.
"Following the incident that took place last week at the training centre and for which I decline all responsibility, I have decided on this day of 02/11/2023 to end my collaboration with Montpellier Herault Sports Club.
"I spent two years in this family club where I took pleasure to share my high-level experience with my teammates and my 'little brothers' from the centre of training. At the same time, I thank them for their support as well as the medical staff without forgetting the supporters who appreciated my time at the club.
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“Thanks also to the sports director Bruno Carotti for his loyalty to me throughout my Montpellier adventure. Finally, I wanted to give a special thanks to the president, Laurent Nicollin, who like his late father did before him, heads the MHSC with the values and principles that are dear to me. We met as men, we leave as men. Happy end of the season. Mamadou Sakho.”
Mamadou Sakho allegedly attacked Montpellier boss Michel Der Zakarian (Getty Images)What are your memories of Mamadou Sakho at Liverpool? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Sakho, a 29-French international had joined Montpellier over two years after leaving Crystal Palace. He made 49 appearances for the French side since then and he still had a year remaining on his deal.
His exit from the club is just the latest explosive chapter in Sakho’s career. He initially joined Liverpool in 2013 from Paris Saint-Germain under Brendan Rodgers.
The centre-back was hit with a doping ban in April 2016 - claims that turned out to be false before he won a legal battle against the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). He was then banished to the under-23s after being sent home from Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States.
Sakho hit out at the club for his punishment. Writing on Snapchat, he said: "Now it's three weeks I am fit to play games. I finish[ed] all my rehabilitation work. They don't want me to play also with the segonde team (U23s) lol! Why? I don't know.
"[I am] Still working hard like [a] Scouse soldier! Still not talking [because] I want to speak on the pitch...I will speak soon for the people who support and me and don't understand the situation. I accept my situation but I can't accept the lie...The fans deserve to know the truth! Thanks for your support."
Sakho was then jettisoned to Crystal Palace for a six-month loan spell before sealing a permanent move to Selhurst Park for £25m, bringing to an end a rollercoaster spell on Merseyside.