Maccabi Netanya Newcomer Suspended, Misses Messi's Farewell Match

Olivier Verdon, a recent acquisition for Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Netanya, will be unable to participate in Lionel Messi's farewell game for the Argentine national team due to a disciplinary suspension. Verdon, a regular with the Benin national team, was not called up for the upcoming friendly against Argentina, which is set to honor Messi's final appearance for his country.

The Benin Football Federation suspended Verdon for six months in June, with an additional six-month suspended sentence, for violating disciplinary rules, disobeying the technical staff, and failing to adhere to team conduct requirements. The federation stated that the decision was made after a thorough disciplinary process and was intended to uphold the authority of the coaching staff, team cohesion, and the values of discipline and personal example.

This suspension prevents Verdon from being called up or participating in any national team activities for Benin. The federation emphasized its commitment to enforcing common rules for all involved in national football, regardless of status or reputation, and declined to provide further details on the circumstances leading to the decision.

This is not Verdon's first brush with disciplinary issues. In 2021, his former girlfriend accused him of domestic violence, including assault, false imprisonment, and death threats, though legal proceedings were later dropped. Additionally, in 2019, he was arrested in Spain following an altercation at a hotel where witnesses reported he grabbed his then-girlfriend by the hair and made threats, including imprisoning her and arranging her disappearance and murder.