Brazilian defender Marcelo was demoted to Lyon's reserve team for 'farting in the dressing room and laughing about it with his teammates', according to remarkable reports in France.
The 34-year-old centre-back was mysteriously removed from the first-team last summer following a 'dressing room incident' and was ordered to train with the 'Pro 2 ' reserve team at Les Gones with immediate effect.
The incident occured following the club's shock 3-0 defeat to Angers back in August – a game in which Marcelo scored an own goal.
Advert
Lyon would later confirm in a club statement that after discussions with the board room and coach Peter Bosz, experienced defender Marcelo would be dropped.
“The inappropriate behaviour of Marcelo in the locker room after the match in Angers justifies this decision, which was taken unanimously by Olympique Lyonnais' management team," the statement read.
“The player was briefed on this decision yesterday afternoon by Juninho and Peter Bosz. Olympique Lyonnais' management reiterates that all of its players must demonstrate an unwavering mindset and a commitment to quickly return to recording results in line with the club's ambitions.”
New information about his unusual departure has since emerged in a report from L'Equipe via Get French Football News, who suggest his exit was sparked by a fart in the dressing room that provoked laughter from his teammates.
The Ligue 1 club were going through a difficult period at the time and with their form dipping, coaches didn't take too kindly to Marcelo's flatulence.
In fact, Lyon's sporting director Juninho Pernambucano, who 'was not particularly close to his compatriot', according to the report, decided to remove him from the squad – a decision that was seemingly approved by manager Peter Bosz.
Marcelo was reportedly in talks to sign for Liverpool on deadline day last year but eventually, the Premier League side decided to bring in Ozan Kabak from Schalke on a season long loan deal.
L’Equipe claim Jurgen Klopp's side offered the Brazilian centre-back a six-month deal but he wasn't interested.
The 34-year-old was then released by Lyon on January 26, 2022 but days later, he joined fellow Ligue 1 club Bordeaux on a deal that runs out at the end of the current campaign.
Jack Kenmare