Marseille’s Pape Gueye returns after a four-month suspension: ‘I had to grit my teeth.’ | OneFootball

Pape Gueye (24) had spent the last four months waiting for this moment, and finally, it came as his suspension was lifted and he could return to the field for Olympique de Marseille.

It was only for a few minutes at the end of their 3-0 victory over Olympique Lyonnais but it surely represented more for a player who had been left frustrated watching his team from the sidelines. As Gueye stated, in a post-match interview, are by RMC Sport, ‘”It was a complicated moment because I couldn’t help my teammates.”

The midfielder had been serving a ban following his actions in his transfer from Le Havre AC to Marseille. Gueye had signed a pre-contract agreement with Watford before reneging on that deal to join the Les Phocéens.

Watford appealed the player’s decision and the FIFA ruling of a ban for four months was ratified this summer leaving the Senegalese international in a difficult situation coming into this season, as Gueye reflected on his journey back to the pitch: “I had a personal trainer with me every day. On the pitch it was difficult, I had to grit my teeth. But as the matches go on, I think I’m going to get better and better.”

The player will look to expand on his season debut with Marseille and try to help the club after their slow start to the campaign, with the club currently sitting in eighth.

GFFN | Nick Hartland