Absent for eight months, he did return the following season and played a few games in the CFA 2 before retiring from the game. In 1998, whilst on holiday in Africa, a Red Star supporter happened upon Fabien, who was at that time involved in the development of young players in his home region.
La composition de l'équipe victorieuse était la suivante : Saunier, Ouattara, Pinto, Ekani, Sarrea, Piedjou, A. Diawara, Deom (Gassama, 85 ème), Agoh , Mirza (Traoré, 75 ème ), Diomande.