Naby Keita Faces Suspension for Unprofessional Conduct
- Naby Keita refused to board the team bus after being left out of the starting eleven, leading to a 5-0 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen.
- After the incident, Keita apologized to his teammates in a group chat, stating that he never intended to let the team down.
- He was suspended and forced to train with the U23s but remains determined to regain his position in the professional squad.
Naby Keita was involved in a significant controversy after he refused to board the team bus before a match against Bayer Leverkusen in April 2024. The club, Werder Bremen, was suffering from a challenging period of form and squad injuries, leading to Keita's disappointment when he was not included in the starting eleven. Following his absence from the match, which resulted in a heavy 5-0 defeat, Keita expressed remorse in a group message to his teammates, apologizing for any perceived lack of support. Despite his apologies, Bremen's sporting director, Clemens Fritz, made it clear that such behavior would not be accepted, reinforcing the need for commitment during tough times. Keita was subsequently suspended from the first team and relegated to training with the U23 squad. Nevertheless, Keita remains hopeful about mending his relationship with the club, expressing a desire to return to the main squad and compete for Bremen's future. His contract with Bremen runs until the summer of 2026.