Marseille experiences a chaotic week: Fans rioting, Andre Villas-Boas suspended for his furious reaction to Olivier Ntcham's transfer

2021-02-05 18:44

Marseille experiences a chaotic week: Fans rioting, Andre Villas-Boas suspended for his furious reaction to Olivier Ntcham


Within a week, Marseille - one of France's biggest clubs - was in turmoil, exacerbated by the arrival of Olivier Ntam. The 24-year-old midfielder arrives on loan from Celtic to replace Morgan Sansone.


"He was actually a player who I said no to. I learned about signing in the morning after waking up from the media. I resigned and said I didn't agree with the sports strategy, I didn't even want money. I just wanted to leave. The gentleman's agreement on signing players has been violated." Marseille manager Francois Boas said so in a press conference.


Marseille board did not accept Boaz's request to resign. Boas was suspended from his duties pending subsequent "disciplinary action" and"punitive measures"before appealing.


"Olympique de Marseille announces the release of Andre Villas-Boas,” stated in the club statement. "This decision has been important because of repeated actions and attitudes that harm the institution and its staff, who defend it on a daily basis. "


"The views expressed at a press conference today, particularly on football leader Pablo Longorio, are unacceptable."


Ntam's transfer came just three days after Marseille's extremist fans attacked the team's training center. During the attack, team defender Alvaro Gonzalez was injured, several police officers on hand to maintain order were also be attacked, and 25 fans were arrested.


The extremist behavior of Marseille fans came in part from the club's president, Jacques-Henri Eyraud. He dismisses long-term employees, claiming that the employee should not be a Marseille fan, which caused the fans' anger.


Marseille's recent poor record has also contributed to the extreme behavior of the fans. Since December, Marseille has won only one game in nine matches in all competitions, suffered three consecutive league defeats, and slipped directly to ninth place in Ligue 1.


According to media reports, Marseille has contacted several coaches such as Ernest Valverde, Mauriz Sarri and Rafael Benitez, but all of them have refused to take over as the team's manager for now.