Olympique de Marseille president Pablo Longoria has announced this Friday, during an unexpected press conference, his intention to remain in his position amid the club’s current management crisis.
“Today, I had a long conversation with [club owner] Frank McCourt and the board who pledged their unwavering support towards me. All those backings have given me renewed energy. I’ve decided to carry on my mandate as Olympique de Marseille president.“
On Tuesday, Longoria – as well as three other Marseille executives – temporarily stepped down from his functions after having been at the receiving end of heavy criticism from representatives of fan groups during an insult-ridden meeting on Monday. American club owner McCourt released a statement affirming that members of the club’s board were subjected to threats of violence. The fans who attended the meeting have denied this.
“What happened on Monday was inadmissible. Inadmissible“, Longoria adds. The Marseille president also announced that he asked his lawyers to file a complaint after the events that occurred on Monday at La Commanderie’s training ground. “I don’t want to fuel a conflict, but I don’t want us to find ourselves faced with this type of situation in the future.”
Longoria also congratulated the Marseille players, as well as interim manager Jacques Abardonado’s coaching staff, for their Europa League’s opening-day away 3-3 against AFC Ajax. The Spaniard also announced he will attend this Sunday’s Classique between Les Phocéens and Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
