Former Paris Saint-Germain outcast Hatem Ben Arfa appeared in labor court on Wednesday as part of ongoing legal action against his former employer, PSG. The 32-year-old is seeking €8 million in damages.
According to L’Equipe, Ben Arfa alleges that PSG kept him away from the first team for non-sporting reasons between April 2017 and June 2018. The Frenchman, who has been without a club since July 1, 2019, is looking to collect a symbolic €1 for moral harassment and another €8 million in individual and team bonuses that he otherwise would have received if he was included in the first team.
“PSG has not failed in its obligations with respect to the non-selection of the player, which was decided due to failures in training and low sports performance,” argued PSG’s lawyer, Marie-Hélène Cohen- Guilleminet. “Everyone knows that he does not train enough, that he pretends.”
Those are some tough words from PSG’s legal representative. Ben Arfa would have the opportunity to respond towards the end of the three-hour session.
“All the players were surprised that I did not play, including Neymar, because I was very good at training. I’ve been told ‘you’ll give in, you’ll go crazy’ but I’m not afraid of adversity. I stayed because I was convinced that I was going to play,” Ben Arfa said.
It’s no secret that Ben Arfa holds a grudge against the club. Last season when he suited up for Stade Rennais, he helped lead his team past PSG in the Coupe de France final and didn’t hold back in expressing how good it felt to beat his former team:
Hatem Ben Arfa: “We did a remontada, but PSG are used to that.” (LP)
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) April 27, 2019
Hatem Ben Arfa: “One day, like me, Adrien Rabiot will come up against PSG. I have nothing against the club, just those who run it.” (RMC)
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) April 27, 2019
December 16, 2019, is the date to circle on your calendar. That is when a decision will be made in this high-profile case that will no doubt send shockwaves throughout French football.
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