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Marseille match against Rennes postponed after fans storm training ground in club protest

The French club are well off the pace in the battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a top-three finish

Jack Rathborn
Saturday 30 January 2021 20:28 GMT
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Marseille supporters storm club's training ground
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Marseille’s crucial Ligue 1 match against Stade Rennais on Saturday night was called off after fans stormed the team's training ground.

The dissatisfaction among OM supporters stems from a disagreement with the way the club's officials are running the club, while Andre Villas-Boas’ team are currently suffering from a poor run of form, with four successive defeats in all competitions heading into this weekend.

Marseille are expected to push for a top-three finish and a place in next season’s Champions League, but currently sit in sixth and 13 points off third-placed Lille.

A statement from the French League (LFP) said: "Given the incidents that occurred this afternoon at the Olympique de Marseille training centre, the Marseille v Stade Rennais Ligue 1 match is postponed."

RMC Sport report approximately 150-200 supporters attempted to breach the Robert Louis Dreyfus centre.

While there was footage from the French outlet of some fans forcing their way in, with flares and firecrackers lit to create a blaze.

A march in the streets also saw banners raised by fans, one of which read: "(Club) directors, out", with OM president Jacques-Henri Eyraud specifically targeted too. French sports media outlet L’Equipe reported that riot police were deployed to deal with the incident.

A turbulent time at the club has seen Villas-Boas admit he will likely not be at the club beyond the current campaign.

“With the current situation I think so,” said Villas-Boas. "It will be a year zero for the club next season. I think we all agree on that path.

"Yes [I will stay for the remainder of the season], unless [Head of Football] Pablo [Longoria] wants to fire me... I’m gonna be fired live on RMC!"

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