Toulouse want to sell Zakaria Aboukhlal

Toulouse FC’s Zakaria Aboukhlal (23) is at the heart of two separate controversies and is currently training separately from his teammates. Foot Mercato now report that the Coupe de France winners want to sell the Moroccan international this summer, and the player himself is keen to leave. 

Aboukhlal refused to participate in Ligue 1’s anti-homophobia campaign this weekend and therefore missed Sunday’s 0-0 draw against FC Nantes. Like teammates Moussa Diarra and Saïd Hamulić, Aboukhlal was sidelined by Toulouse for his refusal. 

On Monday, it was then reported by RMC Sport that Aboukhlal was involved in an altercation with Laurence Arribagé, deputy mayor of Toulouse in charge of sports, during which the former was reported to have told the latter: “Where I’m from, women don’t talk to men like that.”

Arribagé has since reached out to RMC Sport to deny the incident saying, “There’s no story.” However, the French publication have stuck by their original claims. In order to fully investigate the matter, Toulouse have launched an internal investigation, and the player will train separately until further notice.

Foot Mercato are reporting that this will remain the case until the end of the season, at which point, both club and player will try and find a solution, which will take the form of a departure. The French publication reports that Aboukhlal will leave the club this summer, despite possessing a contract that runs until 2026. The club and player are aligned in their desire for a divorce. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle