Vélodrome Roars as McCourt and Longoria Face Fan Backlash
The atmosphere at the Stade Vélodrome turned tense as fans showcased their discontent during the recent match between Marseille and Strasbourg. In protest against the club’s ongoing struggles, supporters expressed their anger by leaving sections of the stadium empty.
Protest at Stade Vélodrome
On match day, the lower section of the Virage Sud was closed. This decision came from the Ligue de football professionnel due to safety violations involving flares and fireworks during a previous match against Lens. As a result, fans visibly demonstrated their frustration by leaving both the upper part of the Virage Sud and the entire Nord section vacant.
Fan Reactions
- Supporters planned to enter the stands only after 15 minutes of play.
- The South Winners, the main supporter group, displayed a banner reading: “Vous avez fait sauter le fusible, mais c’est tout le système qui est pourri.”
- Another banner directly targeted club leadership: “McCourt / Longoria cassez-vous!”
Leadership Changes at OM
The fury of the fans follows the recent dismissal of coach Roberto De Zerbi. He faced mounting pressure after a poor run of results, including a significant 5-0 defeat to Paris SG. In his absence, Jacques “Pancho” Abardonado took over as interim manager for the match against Strasbourg.
The dissatisfaction among supporters highlights a growing crisis at Olympique de Marseille. As the club navigates through turbulent times, tensions between fans and management continue to escalate.
