Valencia suspends Rami without pay for criticism

Posted Saturday, October 05, 2013 by YAHOO Sport

Valencia defender Adil Rami has been suspended without pay for a week by the club for public criticism of coach Miroslav Djukic.

The Frenchman was provisionally removed from the Che squad, as well as some of his teammates, following his reaction on public radio.

After a meeting between the club and the player on Friday, Valencia has decided to suspend the center back from first-team action, as well as withhold his salary, for a week, and insists the 27-year-old has apologized to the squad.

"Valencia and Adil Rami, along with his lawyers, held a meeting on Friday morning in relation to disciplinary proceedings opened by the club against the player last week," an official statement released by the club reads. "After listening to the player, who has expressed regret for the statements made against the coach and his teammates, the club have taken into account the mitigating factors and decided to sanction, in accordance with internal regulations, with a week of suspension of employment and payment of the player.

"Regardless of the punishment, Valencia and Adil Rami have agreed to work together to find a solution that is satisfactory to both parties."

Valencia was reported to be considering selling the 27-year-old Rami as a result of his indescretion, with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Napoli linked with a move.

Valencia endured a miserable start to the season, losing four of its opening five games, but has since seen drastic improvement, with a 2-0 midweek win over Kuban Krasnodar in the Europa League marking the club's fourth victory in a row.