By: Ariel Toitou
Its fan base is the strongest and most stable in France; its stadium is larger than any other team; no other Ligue 1 club has a similar average home attendance; it is the only team in the country to have won the coveted Champions League; and finally: it is absolutely not Paris Saint-GermainMeet Olympique Marseille, the French team that is anything but the capital's glittering star club.
Marseille – sun, sea and football
If a person is the shape of the landscape of his homeland, then a football club is the shape of the landscape of its fans. A team is shaped by the constant interplay between the lifestyles of its fans, important historical patterns, regional narratives and an acquired culture of sympathy. It is impossible to understand the story of the Barcelona football club, for example, without delving into the complex sediments of resentment between the Catalan minority and the Spanish government; it is impossible to understand the ongoing conflict between the fans of the two great Milanese teams without discussing the economic and social factors that polarize their fans; and to an even greater extent: it is impossible to get to know Olympique Marseille, its sporting roots and its uniqueness and contribution to the French league, without first becoming familiar with the sociological characteristics of the magical city.
Tell me what you are not - and I will tell you who you are.
In media images, Marseille is depicted in light of its differences from other French cities, mainly Paris And Aix-en-Provence – its closest neighbor. The residents of Marseille are proud of their individualism – which distinguishes them from the residents of other cities. France, in their rich heritage, in the cultural pluralism that characterizes their city, in the diverse eclecticism of their culture, in the unique geographical features of their sunny and seaside region and in their football team. Despite the existence of upscale neighborhoods and residential areas for wealthy people, Marseille has been burned into the collective memory as a city where crime, drugs and small arms are engraved in its cultural ethos.
Many immigrant neighborhoods and an ethnically diverse population contribute to the creation of the myth of a tough, violent city. The reality, as expected, is infinitely more complex than the monotonous image reflected in the setting and literature. A distinct geographical route, administrative policy, and rich history have contributed to the formation of an independent identity that the city's residents boast about. Ethnic heterogeneity blurs in the face of the sense of belonging that Marseille provides its residents. The locals have developed a regional consciousness based on the recognition of a shared story that unites them. What is the story based on? On tolerance and cultural diversity, on an original cuisine – which takes advantage of the natural and marine resources that the city is endowed with, on music festivals, and on soccer. Mainly on soccer.
Urban pride
When talking about football in Marseille, no one will ask you to clarify your meaning. In the warm port city, the term comes down to the local team, an object of urban admiration and a symbol of success in all of France. Attributing the name 'Madrid' to a football team from the Spanish capital will require you to clarify whether you mean Real Madrid or its neighbor Atletico. Manchester is torn between the Red Devils and their powerful and wealthy rival - Manchester City. Even the name 'Paris' is not usually said alone as a way of referring to Paris Saint-Germain. But if you say the word 'Marseille' in the context of a football team, no one will wonder what you mean. Marseille and Olympique Marseille - they are the same.
The pride of the residents in their beloved team. A team that has produced football legends on a historical scale, won coveted titles, and dominated French and European football for many decades.
Olympique Marseille – Lines for its image
Establishment and early history
Unlike its noisy rival from the northern department of the country, the history of the 'Young Marseilles' is ancient. A sports club that bore the name 'Olympique Marseille' was founded on August 31, 1899, 124 years ago. Seven years earlier, in 1892, a multidisciplinary sports club existed in the city, on which the current football team was founded. In those happy days, the club was called by various names, such as the (somewhat generic, if I may say so) 'Sporting Club'. It was only in 1899, on the occasion of the celebration of 2,500 years since the founding of the city by the Greeks, that the name 'Olympic Marseille' was chosen, in memory of the Olympic Games that were organized by physical fitness enthusiasts of classical culture.
Influenced by prevailing trends in the world of sports, rugby was initially the main source of income and the source of resonance for Olympique Marseille. New winds blowing in England, the sporting powerhouse of the time (as well as today, although it is sad to admit it), led to the establishment of a football team within the club – in 1902. Historians attribute its establishment to senior businessmen of English and German origin. Others will attribute the public demand and the residents' longing for a team that would represent them in the popular sport. Either way, success was immediate. Thanks to the establishment of an extensive systemic infrastructure and foreign investments, Olympique Marseille gained prominence and a leading position in the urban football landscape. In 1904, it won the regional championship and qualified to compete for the French championship title.
Although the residents of the South could no longer ignore the tiny soccer powerhouse that grew before their eyes and established its image and economic status, its breakthrough into the national consciousness only occurred in the 1920s.
A title empire in the making
In 1924, the 'Olympics' won the French Cup – the Coupe de France; a thrilling victory in the cup final – against the local football team of the city of Sete (in French: Sète, in Occitan: Seta), gave the club the first significant title in its history. From then on, Marseille did not stop reaping achievements and began to carve its name in the Hall of Fame of French football. Further trophies in 1926 and 1927, were the prelude to an exciting victory in the French League – in 1929 – an achievement that sealed a wonderful decade for the southerners.
Leclerc and the sin of hubris
The following decades were characterized by great volatility; slight ripples turned into a wave of defeats, causing the team to be relegated to the second division. Sleeping Beauty needed a prince to restore her status, and Marcel Leclerc was the right man in the right place. The latter, a French businessman, was appointed president in 1965. His tireless ambition, the strong faith he instilled in his team, all of which allowed Marseille to climb from the bottom of the second division to the top of the first division. The story of the renaissance could have become a thrilling novel, but Leclerc's bad temper and his poor relations with those around him brought an end to the relationship between the team and the promising president. And so it was: Olympique Marseille aspired to build a star-studded team, which would bring together top talents from across the continent. The league's strict rules allowed only two foreigners to be registered, which prevented Leclerc from signing Zoltan Varga, the famous former Hungarian player. The stubborn president decided to issue an ultimatum to the league's administration: if Varga's signing was not approved, Marseille would withdraw from Ligue 1. The administration was no less harsh, and the steps to leave the league became concrete. Then came the turning point; instead of turning their backs on the league, the board of directors chose to dismiss the club's president from his position. Thus ended a turbulent era full of upheavals. As in a Greek tragedy, the sin of arrogance affected all parties involved in the affair.
Renewed rehabilitation
After Leclerc left, the situation at the 'Olympics' was dire. In 1976, Marseille won the French Cup, but this victory failed to console its heartbroken supporters, whose team was relegated to the second division. After several years in the second division, when it seemed that success was only a thing of the past, the turning point came. A group of young, local, talented and committed players showed heroic determination and managed to march the club back to the first division. It was, if you will, the perfect answer to the weight. A crisis that began with an unwillingness to recognize the root and regional culture and a lack of appreciation for local players, reached its climax thanks to the 'Minutes' – nicknames for those French players who had secured the renewed return to the top division. Eric Di Meco, the left-back from the 'Minutes' era, would later become one of Olympique Marseille's historic stars.
Taffy – a controversial legend
The world of football is characterized by constant fluctuations and unexpected surprises. But the era of Bernard Tapie was scandalous and exciting even for a team like Marseille. Tapie was the perfect example of the definition of a 'cluster man' (ahem, ahem, Netflix). A businessman who specialized in rehabilitating failed companies (the sportswear company 'Adidas' is the most prominent example); an actor and television presenter; a renowned singer; a part-time politician; and finally: the mythical owner of the football team from the port city. Finally? If you ask Tapie and the Marseille fans, the last title is also his most important.
In 1986, Taffy took the baton of leadership over the sporting powerhouse from the south of France. His distinctive management profile was soon evident in the team: extraordinary determination, ambition, admirable charisma and a spirit of passion and commitment. The club quickly took shape in his image and likeness. The ambitious venture became the largest sporting project France had ever seen. The profile of players brought to the team included the biggest names in world football. Jean-Pierre Papin, Abdou Pele, Klaus Allofs and above all: Eric Cantona, were part of the list of famous players who were on the team's roster during his time. The coaching position also featured great past players, the most famous of whom was Franz Beckenbauer - 'the Kaiser' - who is considered by many to be the greatest defender of all time.
The investment bore immediate fruit. Between 1992 and 1988, Marseille won four consecutive championship titles. In 1991, the team managed to qualify for the Champions League final for the first time in its history, but a heartbreaking loss to Red Star Belgrade (on penalties) sent the heartbroken fans back to their homeland in despair. Two years later, in 1993, came the pinnacle moment for Olympique Marseille and French football in general. The 'Blues' qualified for the Champions League final for the second time, where they met the players of the Milanese football team in a particularly tense match. After ninety nerve-wracking minutes against the Rossoneri (as Milan is called), a huge roar of joy erupted from the fans, who had endured hardships. Taffy's players won the first (and last, as of this writing) Champions League title in the history of French football. A solitary goal from Ivory Coast-born defender Basile Bouly sealed the victory at Munich's Olympic Stadium, sending the excited supporters into a week of celebration. Didier Deschamps and Fabian Barthez became the youngest captain and goalkeeper to win the title (respectively).
crime and Punishment
But the laurels, it turns out, were intended for fans of other teams. The 'professional risk' of supporting Marseille involves a constant alternation of emotions. The celebrations of joy were soon mixed with prolonged sadness, after the infamous match-fixing scandal was exposed.
According to suspicions that were quickly confirmed, towards the end of their winning season, Olympique Marseille faced a significant dilemma. They had not yet secured the domestic league championship, but allocating the majority of their resources to the match against Valenciennes – which was held so close to the date of the Champions League final – could have damaged the players’ fitness for the most important match of all. The memory of the failure in the previous final was deeply etched in Taffy’s mind, and he decided that he had to ensure that a loss under similar circumstances would not happen again. In collaboration with Jean-Pierre Burns – the technical director – he devised the following conspiracy: bribes were offered to Valenciennes players – Jorge Boruchaga, Christophe Robert and Jacques Glassman – via Marseille player Jean-Jacques Idly. In exchange for large sums of money, the players were asked to perform less well in their match against ‘the Olympians’. 'Selling the game,' Tuffy believed, would allow his players to easily win the domestic title and preserve their strength before the Champions League final.
Bernard Tuffy told me: 'It is imperative that you contact your two former team members (Nantes) who are currently playing in Valenciennes. We don’t want them to act like idiots and break us before the final with Milan,” Idli said in his autobiography. Glassman refused to accept the bribe. His two friends, however, jumped at the chance and convinced the rest of their team to hand Marseille the game on a silver platter. The first goal of the match was scored in the 21st minute, and in the 23rd minute, Christophe Robert, an important player from Valenciennes, was substituted after a casual tackle. “The game was extraordinary,” the surprised referee shared his feelings, “because contrary to the norm, the Valenciennes players did not dispute the referee’s decisions, while Glassman was constantly running around the field, as if determined to prove something.” But bizarreness is no guarantee of game-fixing, and in the absence of concrete suspicion, the referee was unable to do anything.
Fortunately (or unfortunately; depending on your point of view), Glassman's conscience would not let him rest. At the half-time whistle, he revealed the information about the emerging scandal to his coach. The latter told the referee (without mentioning the names of those involved), who noted the suspicions in the summary report. At the end of the ninety minutes, the game ended in a narrow victory. The first goal scored was also Arc de Triomphe who promised that the championship title would be awarded to the southern team this year as well. In the Champions League final, as you may recall, they defeated Milan by a similar score and won the two most prestigious titles. But suspicions quickly mounted. Police officers appeared in Marseille's locker room, attempting to trace the fragments of information they had. About two weeks after the game, the police investigation expanded. Players and those involved confessed to collusion and were arrested until the suspicions were clarified and the verdict was determined. Marseille was stripped of the league title. Since Paris Saint-Germain, the runner-up, refused to take it (due to financial considerations on the part of Canal+), the Ligue 1 season ended without a winner. Taffy was convicted and sentenced to prison – after his friends revealed that the bribery did not amount to a single game.
You can find more details about the life and actions of the famous businessman, perhaps the most controversial in the history of local football, in the Netflix series – 'Taffy the Cluster Man'.
The Passion of Marseille
After the conviction, Marseille was relegated to the second division, on the way to another tribulation that lasted an entire decade. For two years, the team spent in the second division, but even after re-qualifying, it was unable to return to its position. The UEFA Cup final was the maximum achievement that the Blues achieved during the slump years, but Valencia, the new Spanish champion, cut off the dream at the very beginning and won a match held in Gothenburg, Sweden. During the enforced absence, their rival – Paris Saint-Germain – gained momentum, broke title records and dethroned the former champion from its position as the leading French team in the minds of the masses. But for Marseille fans, nothing changed. Romance, in their opinion, is infinitely better than money and success. The same romance with which the club overcame many difficulties, won tough battles, survived impossible crises and provided respectful representation to southern football and people on the social periphery of France.
The current era
Today, Frank McCourt, a well-known American businessman and philanthropist, owns 95 percent of the club's shares. The remaining five percent is owned by Marguerite Louis-Dreyfus, a Swiss businesswoman of Russian origin and widow of Robert Louis-Dreyfus, the former majority owner of the team. Olympique Marseille is managed under the presidency of the Spaniard Pablo Longoria. Its coach is the famous former player Gennaro Gattuso, a legendary midfielder who became famous for his hot temper and his dubious tendency to quarrel with those around him.
Naturally, in the absence of incredibly generous funding from a major oil powerhouse (did someone say Paris Saint-Germain?), Olympique Marseille does not boast a particularly flashy collection of names. Nevertheless, apart from its famous coach, the senior squad includes well-known players who have burst onto the minds of sports fans. Among them are the French-born Jofre Kondogbia (Central African Republic national football team), known for his versatility and defensive skills; the Brazilian Renan Lodi, who became famous in the ranks of the Spanish club Atletico Madrid; and above all, the Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a former striker for Dortmund and Barcelona.
Olympique Marseille Stadium
Big teams boast titles. Big clubs boast fans. A football stadium can teach a lot about the character of a team. From the area in which it is located, to its design and to the symbols embedded in it, the stadium is a symbol of pride, belonging and identity for fans. And at least when it comes to the field, Marseille fans have something to brag about.
The Stade Vélodrome, the name of the stadium where Olympique Marseille plays its home games, is larger than any other football team in the country. The old stadium is considered particularly iconic across the continent – due to its unique architectural style – and is second in size only to the Stade de France, the national stadium where the French national team plays its games.
The stadium has also earned a place of honor on the European stage. Among the teams in the top five leagues, only six clubs boast a larger stadium. Football giants – which enjoy enormous global resonance – make do with stadiums with extremely modest seating capacity, including Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
The story of a place
The history of the place as a sports arena dates back to the second decade of the 20th century. Proud France was expected to host the 1924 Olympic Games. To the chagrin of the sports administration, Paris and Marseille, two of the main cities in the tournament, did not possess Olympic hosting facilities worthy of their name. In an ambitious and lengthy project, vast areas throughout the major cities were prepared and allocated for sports purposes. This was the beginning of a story that would go beyond its dimensions to a much larger scale than the city's engineers could have imagined.
The cornerstone of the velodrome was laid on April 28, 1935, but the inauguration event was postponed for two full years, to June 13, 1937. The Polk-Plokin architectural firm, under the leadership of Henry Plokin, won the tender.
The building stands out for its particularly arched stands, which bear the names of people from the history of the club and the city: Jean Bowen, a famous runner; Gustave Gnay – the cyclist; Nicolas Roze (better known as Chevalier Roze) – who showed supreme heroism in the 'Great Plague' that struck the city in 1720; and finally: a long-time fan who died unexpectedly in July 2000 (Patrice de Perti).
Like the club itself, the stadium is also considered multi-purpose and is used for a variety of purposes, both sporting and non-sporting. Football has been and will remain the most important stronghold of the sports scene in the port city, but in addition, the stadium hosts rugby cups and serves as the main field where the national team plays its games. If that were not enough, concerts are also held there from time to time, which receive a huge response. A concert by the French musical group Indochine, for example, was attended by 59,400 people! Other concerts have featured famous artists such as Beyonce, Paul McCartney and others.
Changes in the spirit of the times
Since 2016, due to sponsorship agreements, the stadium has been called the “Orange Velodrome.” If you’ve ever met the club’s fans, you’ll know that the change wasn’t to their liking. Whatever the financial needs, you won’t be able to get the words “Orange Velodrome” out of a Marseille fan’s name!
As a local pride, the field has undergone many transformations, designed to adapt to changing needs, the increase in the number of fans, and the strict requirements of UEFA (the Confederation of European Football). Among other things, a modern roof was installed, the stands were made accessible to the disabled, new seats were added, and even trees were planted on the nearby avenue, as part of the attempt to create a contemporary playing environment, but one that is connected to the roots of the place and its residents.
Club symbols
Slogan
The slogan that has accompanied the club since its inception is the famous Latin phrase “DROIT AU BUT”, which means ‘to the point’. The phrase accompanied the Marseille rugby team and symbolized the constant pursuit of victory and the direct and uninhibited team spirit. Even today, you can hear fans screaming the slogan at the top of their lungs, encouraging the players to fight for achievements – until they conquer the summit.
Club colors
The colors that adorn the club's emblems are white and light blue. The origin of the colors in the Marseille flag: a simple white cloth with a blue cross embossed on it. The flag is not in official use; the town hall flies the French flag and nothing else. Ships sailing from the city port also use the Marseille emblem only as a secondary flag, which is flown instead of the 'courtesy flag'. Nevertheless, the colors are considered representative of the city, alluding to the clear sky and the blue sea and have been identified with the city group, almost since its founding.
Symbol
The emblem of Olympique Marseille has been changed several times, inspired by design trends and commercial needs. It originated from the personal seal of René Dufort de Montmirail, a professional rugby player, businessman and founder of Olympique Marseille. The original seal consisted of the letters D and M, the initials of his first and last name, intertwined. The designers converted the letter D to the letter O, creating the foundation for the design that accompanies the club to this day.
From then on, the logo underwent a series of changes, reflecting the age-old French connection between symbols of identification and movements and currents in the field of art. The Art Deco trend gave rise to a simple and clean design, while removing the slogan; the Art Nouveau trend resulted in a regal, rich and ostentatious design; the slogan was removed and replaced with suits; an additional star was added to the logo, to mark a victory in the Champions League; and finally – graphic requirements that accompany the era of online networks, led to the creation of the current logo – which combines ostentatiousness and power, with a clean, clear and pleasing to the eye line.
Uniform kit
The design of the team's home uniform has remained largely unchanged since its inception. Until 1986, the uniform consisted of a white shirt and pants, along with light blue socks. Starting in 1986, under the auspices of Adidas – the official outfitter at the time, the color of the socks was changed to white and the light blue color was pushed aside and became lighter. Since then, the uniform has not undergone any significant changes, although in 2013-2012, as a nostalgic gesture, the team decided to return to light blue socks.
The away and third kits change according to the design needs and wishes of the manufacturing company (Puma – since 2018). Sometimes the team launches a festive fourth kit, usually one that represents social values and local symbols. The fourth shirt of the 2019/2020 season is particularly memorable, which was designed in the style of the local flag and became especially popular with locals and tourists.
Club nicknames
They say that a nickname represents love for its object? Well, it turns out that Olympique Marseille is especially loved by its fans. The club's nicknames are numerous and represent various elements of the culture of support, the history of the place and the regional way of life. Starting from 'The Phocians' (in French: Les Phocéens) – named after the Ionian Greek city whose sons founded Messalia, which is today's Marseille; through 'The Olympians' (in French: Les Olympiens) – to describe the Olympic roots of the city; and ending with 'The Minots' (in French: Les Minots) – a nickname that originated in Provence, where the word translates to 'the children', and in this case, 'the children of Marseille'. In between, there are other generic nicknames such as 'The Southerners' and 'The Blues'.
Club fans
The culture of sportsmanship is engraved in the bones of the inhabitants of Marseille. From the early Olympic Games to the present day, we locals identify with sports with all our heart. Football is the most popular sport for most residents. In Marseille, as mentioned, the term 'football' has only one meaning.
The team's average attendance is the highest in France and among the highest in Europe. Wealthier rivals can look with envy and admiration at the tens of thousands of fans who pack the iconic stadium every week, shouting at the top of their lungs and cheering their team on with great passion. If the term 'opera fans' is used derisively to describe a friendly tourist crowd - who show little understanding of football and a lack of identification with the team playing, then the audience at Olympique Marseille's games is made up of 'hard rock fans'.
The fans are divided into various ultras groups, some of which are officially or semi-officially recognized by the club. The enthusiastic supporters sit in the curved stands, cheering on the players and creating an exciting and turbulent sporting atmosphere. The choreography of the Marseille fans is known around the world; performances, posters and signs of record-breaking sizes are a common sight in the stands of the Stade Velodrome. Some of the posters include statements of solidarity with other teams – whose fans cooperate with the Marseille ultras groups, including A.E.C. Athens of Greece and Sampdoria and Livorno of Italy.
Olympique Marseille: sporting rivalries
The famous struggle between Olympique Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain is nourished by cultural, sociological, economic and social roots. When the two teams compete on the pitch, the players carry the burden of the history of the two magnificent cities on their backs. While Paris Saint-Germain represents proud France, traditional wealth and high culture, Marseille is considered a symbol of cosmopolitanism tolerant towards minorities and immigrants, of industrial tradition and Mediterranean folk culture.
The match between the teams is called 'Le Clásico', inspired by the El Clasico match between Real Madrid and Barcelona. The game is often portrayed by the media as a clash between the rich and fat 'cream children' of France, against the Enfant terribl, the 'terrible children' who replace elegance with passion and politeness with boundless admiration for their team.
Historical circumstances have intensified the conflict to extreme proportions, and every year there is a large-scale police deployment before the teams play against each other.
A poetic summary
“Some people say that football is a matter of life and death. I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you that it is much, much more than that.” ~ Bill Shankly.
So perhaps football is not a matter of life and death and 'life itself' is of paramount importance, but sport in general and football in particular constitute a representative perspective picture of social characteristics. Team struggles often become a 'clash of civilizations' in miniature. The choreography constantly emphasizes the close dependence between regional symbols and the teams playing on the field. Globalization is a process that sends ripples through all areas of life, but although it is easy to watch the games of different teams and experience the sporting effect at the touch of a button, true sympathy must be based on local affinity and cultural belonging.
Olympique Marseille supporters know this. Even as their wealthy rival grows stronger, gains global influence, wins titles and makes lavish acquisitions, their asset is the most valuable of all. A team built by fans, by fans and for fans. If you want to experience tactical, fluid and flamboyant football – go to the ‘Garden of Princes’. If you want passionate passion and admiring authenticity, visit the Stade Velodrome (and don’t you dare call it anything else!) Your child won’t meet Kylian Mbappe there (unless you choose Marseille vs. Paris Saint-Germain), but I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed.