Marseille star is SUSPENDED after wishing his team-mate, ex-Newcastle defender Chancel Mbemba, a happy birthday in a 'provocative nature'

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Marseille youngster Rayan Hassad has been suspended by the club after he was accused of wishing a happy birthday to team-mate Mbemba 'in a provocative nature'. 

The 18-year-old took to social media to wish the former Newcastle defender many happy returns of the day. He posted an a image of the pair on Instagram that included the message: 'Happy birthday cousin.'

However, it appears Mbemba may not have appreciated Hassad's seemingly innocuous language. The Congo international had been suspend himself by the club after he clashed with reserve manager Ali Zarrak after being called 'cousin' several times. 

Following Hassad's post earlier this month, Marseille have taken the decision to suspend the youngster, who is surplus to requirements now Roberto de Zerbi is in charge.

According to RMC Sport, Hassad's suspension is a precautionary measure. 

 Rayan Hassad (left) took to social media to celebrate the birthday of his team-mate Chancel Mbemba

The midfielder apologised after he had been suspended by the club for the social media post

Hassad has been out of favour and playing for the reserve since Roberto De Zerbi joined this summer

The Algerian confirmed his suspension in a post on social media and stressed the fact that he did not wish to cause harm. 

'I was indeed suspended as a precautionary measure by Olympique de Marseille following an Instagram story where I wished a teammate (Chancel Mbemba) a happy birthday,' he wrote on Instagram. 

'I would like to clarify that at no time did I want to cause harm to my club and my management. It was a simple birthday message, as I usually do with other teammates. If I may have hurt someone, I apologise, but know that this was never my intention.'

Marseille cited the 'provocative nature of the message', while other issues were reportedly communicated to the player in the letter informing him of the suspension.

Hassad has only one year remaining on his contract and is currently part of the reserve team - along with Mbemba - that is led by club legend Jean-Pierre Papin.

Marseille get their season underway against Brest on Saturday afternoon. The club are hoping to improve on their disastrous campaign last term which saw then finish eighth.