Marcelo Bielsa has dismissed claims that he's not playing Dimitri Payet ahead of Marseille's midseason break.
Payet's benching, who has scored five league goals, had been purely a selection choice.
"There has been nothing in particular, I just decided choose another player for the game today," said Bielsa. "And I found that it was not necessary for him to be present in the 18 players called.
"Today's decision is not a penalty because a sanction shows a lack of discipline, and there was no breach of this kind.
"Payet is an outstanding player, one of the best in the team overall."
Via FourFourTwo