The Ligue 1 game between Marseille and Rennes at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday was postponed after fans stormed into Marseille’s training ground hours before kickoff in protest against club officials.
French multimedia outlet RMC Sport reported some 150-200 supporters tried to break into the Robert Louis Dreyfus centre. TV pictures showed fans forcing their way in and some were seen throwing flares and lighting firecrackers.
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“Given the incidents that occurred this afternoon at the Olympique de Marseille training centre, the Marseille v Stade Rennais Ligue 1 match is postponed,” the French League (LFP) said in a statement.
RMC published footage of fans marching in the streets and carrying banners reading “[Club] directors, out”, and others directly targeting OM president Jacques-Henri Eyraud. It later reported the situation had calmed down, without elaborating.
The entrance of the training ground was also tagged with messages against Eyraud.
French sports daily L’Equipe said riot police had been deployed to deal with the incident.
? Les images exclusives du coup de force des supporters marseillais au centre d’entrainement Robert-Louis-Dreyfus. Un arbre a pris feu, 25 personnes ont été interpelées par la police. pic.twitter.com/XIVEalZoRQ
— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) January 30, 2021
OM were not immediately available for comment.
Marseille are seventh in the Ligue 1 standings, 16 points adrift of leaders Lyon, with coach Andre Villas Boas hinting he will leave the club when his contract expires in June.
OM were knocked out in this season’s Champions League group stage.
Promoted RC Lens moved up to sixth on 34 points after claiming a 2-1 win at 11th-placed Montpellier.
On Sunday, second-placed Paris St Germain travel to Lorient and third-placed Lille host Dijon.
Information from Reuters and ESPN correspondent Julien Laurens was used in this report.
