Ben Arfa prepared to miss full season
Newcastle target Hatem Ben Arfa claims he will not play again for current employers Marseille as he bids to force through a move.
The France international has refused to train with OM, though he played 34 minutes of the opening Ligue 1 clash of the season against Caen and club president Jean-Claude Dassier insisted earlier this week he “remains part of the workforce”.
Ben Arfa has other ideas, though, even if it means writing off his season.
He told L’Equipe: “I will not return to La Commanderie (OM’s training ground). It’s over. I am ready to not play this season. I have my pride, my dignity. I am not a stop-gap.
“Over time, people will see that I was right. Just because we are paid does not mean we are slaves.”
The 23-year-old put himself in the shop window on Wednesday as part of Laurent Blanc’s shadow France squad, scoring a stunning long-range goal within three minutes of his introduction at half-time against Norway.
