The departure of Marcelino from Marseille has sparked controversy, with conflicting statements about the threats made by supporters during the September 18 meeting.
Marcelino ultimately decided to leave Marseille following a heated meeting with the club’s Ultras, during which the president and coach were allegedly threatened with death.
In a statement following his departure, Marcelino accused the supporter groups of making threats against Marseille’s leadership, stating that this weighed heavily in his decision to resign.
« After the official statement issued by Olympique de Marseille detailing the seriousness of the events on Monday, September 18, when representatives of supporter groups demanded the President and his executive committee’s resignation, with personal threats extending to possible consequences on their physical and moral integrity should they refuse to resign from their responsibilities, this coaching staff, which I lead, wishes to communicate the following, » began the Spanish coach.
« Today’s unstable situation clearly indicates that the sports project for which we were hired cannot be carried out, » Marcelino continued. « The intimidation and individual attacks to which the President and his executive committee were subjected on Monday, with only the 5th matchday of the league, suggest uncertain times ahead in which working conditions are not the most suitable for safely and normally carrying out our profession, as is usually inherent to a football club. »
« The withdrawal of the President and his executive committee due to the serious threats, insults, and defamation they received, combined with the high tension that has arisen within these two months, all in spite of the professionalism and dedication of the coaching staff, make our continuation at Marseille impossible, » Marcelino concluded.
However, Rachid Zeroual and Christian Cataldo, historical figures in the Marseille stands, have contested these allegations. They told AFP that no death threats or demands for resignation were made during the meeting in question. For Rachid Zeroual, this meeting was an opportunity to raise issues related to the youth academy that parents had brought to his attention.
