Werder Bremen has suspended Naby Keïta until the end of the season, citing his refusal to travel with the team after realizing he wasn’t in the match day squad.
Additionally, the club has imposed a substantial fine on the Guinea midfielder. The 29-year-old will no longer participate in team training or be part of the first-team dressing room.
In a statement on the club’s website, Clemens Fritz, the head of Professional football, expressed disappointment in Keïta’s actions, stating that the midfielder prioritized his interests over the team’s during a crucial period of the season. Fritz emphasized the need for unity and focus in the remaining games.
“As a club, we won’t tolerate Naby’s behaviour. He 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. We can’t allow that. At this stage of the season, we need full focus on the remaining games and a team who stick together. That’s why we’ve been left with no alternative.”
The club accused Keïta of disloyalty for leaving without permission upon learning he wouldn’t start against Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday.
Shortly after the announcement, Keïta faced racial abuse from football fans, prompting the club to condemn such behavior unequivocally and urging loyal fans to distance themselves from it.
“We strongly condemn racist remarks on social media made towards Naby Keïta. Such inhuman language goes against the values of SV Werder Bremen, and anyone using it cannot be considered a fan of our club. We take a clear stance against racism.”
