A rain of firecrackers, fireworks, smoke fell, at the beginning of the afternoon this Saturday, on the Commandery.
An almost insurrectionary scene, since part of the 300 angry fans who came to demonstrate forced their way into the Marseille training center.
This is a first since the invasion of the site by Ultras in December 1999, after a defeat against Saint-Etienne.
Violent supporters at the Commanderie
The reception in Rennes, this Saturday evening, had not been "considered particularly at risk" by the police headquarters.
But a police source indicated before the meeting that “special attention would be paid to the area around the training center where supporters could go before the curfew.
"
Thirty police officers had been positioned on the spot.
In addition, OM has been strengthening the private security system in front of its training center for several weeks.
Several guards are now positioned outside the site and prevent supporters from approaching the players' cars.
On November 28, the OM bus was blocked by a hundred Ultras, before a meeting against Nantes.
Several players and André Villas-Boas had managed to lower the tension by talking with the demonstrators.
Conversely, dialogue was impossible on Saturday.
"Faced with 300 guys like that, you can't do anything," says an experienced steward.
It's been hot for some time, but no one expected them to go this far.
The demonstrators therefore easily overrun the security system.
Seven police officers were slightly injured, as well as a supporter.
🔴 Things are heating up at La #Commanderie!
Several groups sprayed the entrance to the training center with smoke and fireworks.
They try to get inside the enclosure (Credit: Cédric Monné) #OM #TeamOM pic.twitter.com/jasL2Ef6ch
- La Provence (@laprovence) January 30, 2021
Defender Alvaro Gonzalez was also affected, according to several sources.
A small group found themselves facing André Villas-Boas and a few players.
In the mess, Alvaro was hit in the back by a projectile.
"Nothing serious", assures his entourage, requested by our title.
Supporters present on the spot assure that the gesture was involuntary and that the charismatic defender was not targeted: the Spaniard, one of the few to dare to appear against the Ultras, would have even been acclaimed by some.
“I'm fine, kiss you,” Alvaro commented on Twitter.
Before specifying his thoughts in a press release sent by the club: “I came to OM for its history and the passion that surrounds it.
This city is wonderful, we all love this club but what we experienced today must never happen again.
"
No match and players in shock
The facts are even "unacceptable" according to Steve Mandanda.
"A sports crisis can in no way justify such a surge of violence," launches the most capped goalkeeper in the history of OM.
The players were shocked by the violence of the supporters, who committed extensive damage: cars were damaged, windows were smashed and several trees were set on fire.
The damage amounts to hundreds of thousands of euros, according to OM.
But more than the financial impact, it is the psychological impact of this event that worries Jacques-Henri Eyraud.
"Three hundred employees are in a state of shock [after] this unspeakable attack," commented the Marseille president.
🚨 The meeting of the 22nd day between @ OM_Officiel and @staderennais is postponed ❌ # OMSRFC https://t.co/fHZbN10yta
- Ligue 1 Uber Eats (@ Ligue1UberEats) January 30, 2021
This is also the case for players.
Many did not feel capable of playing the game against Rennes.
The Professional Football League announced the postponement of the match at 6 p.m., after warning Stade Rennes and talking to the police headquarters and OM security officials.
"It was unthinkable to maintain a match under these conditions or to postpone it until the next day (Editor's note: this Sunday)", explained on Canal + Arnaud Rouger, executive director general of the LFP.
The fact that a player is directly affected was decisive for the LFP, which specifies that OM will not be penalized for a game lost on the green carpet.
What penalties for Ultras?
The rest of the story will take place in the jails of the Bishop's Palace, in the shabby buildings of the police headquarters and in the court.
Twenty-five supporters have been taken into custody.
The OM, which denounces their "barbarism", announces that several complaints will be filed.
“We will try to establish all the responsibilities, warned Jacques-Henri Eyraud on Canal +.
We will find solutions through law and dialogue.
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