Former Liverpool midfielder banned by his club for rest of season after going AWOL

Former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has been suspended by Werder Bremen for the rest of the season after refusing to travel with his team ahead of their trip to Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday.

The Guinea international was told he would not be selected in the starting XI at the BayArena and decided to go home in response. Leverkusen won 5-0 and were crowned Bundesliga champions for the first time in their history.

Keita - who left Liverpool last summer - has meanwhile been banned from playing again this campaign and will not take part in first-team activities for the foreseeable future, having also been handed a 'significant' fine.

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“Naby’s behavior cannot be tolerated for us as a club,” said Werder Bremen chief Clemens Fritz in a statement on Tuesday. “With this action, he let his team down in a tense sporting and personnel situation and placed himself above the team.

“We can't allow that. At this stage of the season we need full focus on the remaining games and a team that is very close together. There was therefore no alternative to our measures.”

Keita - who has only played five times this season amid spates of injury and sickness absences - had shared a statement on his Instagram story, accusing club staff of trying to damage his reputation.

He said: "I wish to clarify my situation at my club Werder Bremen. Ever since I arrived at this magnificent club, I have always shown my professionalism. I have always tried to help the club and the great supporters, especially during this time of poor results.

“Since the start of my career I have never had