Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 5y

Thomas Tuchel 'respects and understands' PSG's decision to suspend Adrien Rabiot

Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel has said he "respects and understands" the club's decision to drop Adrien Rabiot indefinitely after sporting director Antero Henrique said the midfielder had expressed his intention to leave.

Speaking after goals from Edinson Cavani and Moussa Diaby had secured a 2-1 Coupe de la Ligue win at Ligue 2 Orleans, Tuchel backed the club's position.

"It is a club decision, and I respect and understand their stance," he told Canal+. "Now, we will wait and see.

"I love the player -- he has been a key figure, but this situation has dragged on for far too long. The club has made a decision and I respect it."

France's National Union of Professional Footballers backed Rabiot's desire to see out his contract before leaving and hit out at PSG's decision to drop him. 

"It is inadmissible that these practices from another time are unfortunately still prevalent today," the organisation said in a statement. 

PSG's "ultra" fans displayed banners at Orleans that read: "Rabiot -- we do not need you."

Captain and defender Thiago Silva, meanwhile, told reporters: "His decision is a very personal one and you cannot offer advice to somebody who has already made up their mind.

"It is a shame, as he was a great friend of mine in the dressing room."

Silva's fellow defender Marquinhos said he and Rabiot had "risen through the ranks together and grown up."

He added: "He has made his decision and the club has too. There is nothing that we can do."

Match-winner Diaby said he was delighted with his late goal after coming on as a substitute.

"Things got heated towards the end of the match," he said. "We were up against a good Orleans side and they were aggressive, but our heads stayed up and we kept going. I did what the coach asked of me.

"The coach told us that this would be tough and intense."

PSG's final match of 2018 is at home to Nantes in Ligue 1 on Saturday. They discover their Coupe de la Ligue quarterfinal opponents on Wednesday.

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