Marseille player suspended for 'wishing his teammate happy birthday'

A Marseille player has been suspended for wishing his teammate a happy birthday on social media.

18-year-old Rayan Hassad's post appeared to be an innocent one as he wished former Newcastle and Porto defender Chancel Mbemba a happy birthday on his Instagram story.

But Mbemba is actually currently serving a suspension from Marseille after being accused of demonstrating "poor behaviour" towards management during training.

And according to La Provence, via Get French Football News, Hassad's message to the 30-year-old proved to be "the final straw".

There had been previous issues with Hassad, who is yet to make his first-team debut for the club and usually represents the reserve side.

Image: Getty

He received a letter from the club where his birthday shoutout was referenced, as well as a claim he insulted a teammate and refused to follow instructions from a member of staff.

Hassad himself responded to the suspension, confirming he had been banned as a "precautionary measure" and apologising while stressing there was no intention to "hurt someone".

“I was indeed suspended as a precautionary measure by Olympique de Marseille following an Instagram story where I wished a teammate a happy birthday," he wrote.

“I would like to clarify that at no time did I want to cause harm to my club and its management. It was a simple birthday message, as I usually do with other teammates. If I hurt someone, I apologise but know that this was never my intention.”

Mbemba had been playing regularly and helped Marseille reach the semi finals of the Europa League last season.

Yet he was deemed to be surplus to requirements by new manager Roberto De Zerbi upon his arrival at the Stade de Veledrome.

Told to find a new club, Mbemba was forced to train with the reserves before the training ground incident and subsequent suspension.