The pair came to blows after defeat to Rennes on Friday night, which also saw young teammate Darryl Bakola falling ill, suffering a vagus nerve attack amid the chaos. OM have since fined and transfer-listed both senior players for their actions.
And Benatia told RMC: "We expected the days off granted to the team to allow those involved to reflect and apologise to the club, the coach, and for their image. That didn't happen.
"I've never seen anything like it in my 17-18-year career in the locker room.
"When you want to be a strong club, you have to be able to make decisions that may weaken you on a sporting level, but will strengthen the team and the club."
He added, "They are two top-class players. We will undoubtedly find a club that will be happy to welcome Adrien and Jonathan and will offer them the space to grow.
“I spoke to players and agents, and everyone was shocked. We had never seen anything like it. Punches in the dressing room, a boy on the ground with a seizure… it was impossible to let it go.”
Benatia, who is very close to Rabiot, admitted his disappointment at an inevitable separation: “I adore him as a man and a footballer, but behavior like this is intolerable."