Marseille: Tensions rise between club and supporters

A tense meeting between Olympique de Marseille supporters, and the club’s management took place on Monday, during which the former told the latter to “quickly resign,” according to RMC Sport. 

Marseille sit third in Ligue, just two points behind league leaders AS Monaco, however, not all is well at the Vélodrome. Sunday’s goalless draw against Toulouse FC drew boos from the home crowd, and just a day later, a meeting, which has long since been scheduled, took place between frustrated fans and the club’s management. 

According to RMC Sport, tempers flared during the meeting, with the publication describing the atmosphere as “extremely tense.” Pablo Longoria (President), Javier Ribalta (Director of Football), Stéphane Tissier (Financial Director) and Pedro Iriondo (CEO) were all present at the meeting. 

Longoria told supporters that he couldn’t be satisfied with the current performances, however, it was the supporters themselves who dominated the meeting. “We don’t see the ball. We’re ashamed. You don’t respect us,” one leader of a supporter group reportedly said, criticising the style of football proposed by new manager Marcelino. The Spanish manager was also the subject of some of the supporter’s anger, with some supporters saying that he was appointed because of his prior relationship with Longoria. 

Supporters were also frustrated with the repeated turnover at the club, notably the departures of Dimitri Payet, Steve Mandanda, Mattéo Guendouzi and Alexis Sánchez. The meeting was short, according to RMC Sport with the club’s management lost for words, however, it was the Marseille supporters themselves who brought an end to the meeting by leaving the room at the club’s training complex. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle