An interview that didn't go down well: OM reprimanded Ali Zarrak after his public settling of scores with Papin

A settling of scores that is causing teeth to grind internally. In an interview granted to L’Équipe, Ali Zarrak sharply responded to accusations leveled against him by Jean-Pierre Papin. Medhi Benatia's former deputy, who remains part of OM's organizational chart, is accused of "moral harassment" by the 1991 Ballon d’Or winner, who coached the Phocaean club's reserve team between November 2023 and June 2025.

"Totally false," responded the former scout for Auxerre, Le Havre, and Lorient in a scathing interview, in which he tackled JPP and harshly criticized his coaching career. His outspoken remarks were not welcomed within the Phocaean club. While the atmosphere has been calming down since the arrival of Stéphane Richard (president), Grégory Lorenzi (sporting director), and Bruno Genesio (coach), Ali Zarrak acted alone.

"You don't behave at OM like you're at a day camp"

As explained by La Provence and confirmed by RMC Sport, the 34-year-old director did not seek his management's approval before agreeing to this written and filmed interview, contrary to protocol requirements. Ali Zarrak reportedly notified his superiors only on the eve of publication. Displeased, OM management reprimanded him, making their dissatisfaction clear. Despite this episode, a dismissal does not appear to be on the agenda. In any case, no steps have been taken in that direction.

A few days prior to his sharp response, Ali Zarrak was implicated by Jean-Pierre Papin in his capacity as the former head of the reserve side. "There was even an investigation by an external firm that went nowhere. It was stopped, and I never found out why or on whose orders," stated the 62-year-old former French striker.

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"It is totally false," defended Medhi Benatia's former right-hand man. "The conclusions of the investigation were delivered and simply stated that there was no harassment on my part. Jean-Pierre took certain liberties that he shouldn't have taken. You don't behave at OM like you're at a day camp or a Sunday recreational club (…) Jean-Pierre Papin's coaching career, I'm sorry to say, is at a very, very low level."

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