Former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has been suspended by Werder Bremen until the end of the season and fined substantially after refusing to travel with the team for Sunday’s Bundesliga game against Bayer Leverkusen.
The decision came after Keita, 29, learned that he would not be starting the match and opted to return home instead. Werder Bremen suffered a 5-0 defeat against Leverkusen, who were crowned Bundesliga champions.
Football director Clemens Fritz expressed the club’s disappointment, stating, “We won’t tolerate Naby’s behaviour.” He emphasized that Keita’s actions undermined the team’s unity and focus during a crucial period in the season.
As a result of his actions, the Guinea international will be excluded from team training sessions and barred from the first-team dressing room. The club is adamant about maintaining discipline and cohesion as they navigate the remaining games of the season.