French defender Mamadou Sakho has hit out at Montpellier after leaving the Ligue 1 club following reports of a training ground bust-up with the manager.
L’Equipe detailed an incident between the ex-LIverpool and Crystal Palace man after he was allegedly angered at not being given a foul in training before later confronting coach Michel Der Zakarian.
Sakho, 33, has since claimed that there was “no respect” given to him by Montpellier, despite the club insisting that his departure was not acrimonious.
“You have to know how to leave the table when respect is no longer served,” Sakho said on Instagram.
“Following the incident which took place last week at the training centre and for which I decline all responsibility, I decided… to end my collaboration with Montpellier.”
Montpellier said the two parties have decided to end the contract after 10 days of reflection.
“For ten days, a media frenzy has been created around the club around a ‘clash’ between Michel Der Zakarian and Mamadou Sakho,” Montpellier said in a statement.
“Contrary to what has been said and relayed, no precautionary dismissal has been taken against Mamadou Sakho.”
Sakho also fell out of favour at Liverpool in 2016 when he was dropped from the first team and was sent home from a pre-season tour of the United States for disciplinary reasons.
Montpellier, sitting 11th in the French top-flight, visit second-placed Paris Saint-Germain later on Friday.
Additional reporting by Reuters
