If the performance of Marcelino’s team was mentioned during Monday’s meeting at the Commanderie between the leaders of supporter groups and the management of OM, it was the management of the club which was mainly criticized, for almost of 45 minutes. On behalf of the different groups, the boss of the South Winners, Rachid Zeroual, denounced the policy of President Pablo Longoria, the incessant changes of players, coaches and employees, the flight of executives (Steve Mandanda, Matteo Guendouzi, Dimitri Payet, Alexis Sanchez …) throughout the summers. He spoke of questionable practices and cronyism, for example at the training center, excluding young people from Marseillais in favor of other sectors.
Zeroual also mentioned documents relating to a commercial consulting company created by Longoria upon his arrival in Marseille. This company has been around for a while, but it seems to be dormant. Zeroual finally requested, still with the support of other groups, the resignation of the four leaders present in the small press room of the Commanderie, with its lightning-fast air conditioning: the football director Javier Ribalta, the administrative and financial director Stéphane Tessier, the general manager Pedro Iriondo and Longoria.
The president tried to speak and respond, but the group representatives present turned their heels. When contacted, OM management did not respond to our requests.