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4 months ago
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Pablo Longoria’s wish to bring Youcef Atal to Olympique de Marseille this summer is not shared by the mayor of the Phocaean city, Benoît Payan.
Just a few months after being fired by OGC Nice for sharing on social media a video of a preacher calling for ” a black day for the jews “, a few days after the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas last October, Youcef Atal is about to make his return to Ligue 1 next season. While an agreement with OM was mentioned this Friday by Foot Mercato, the news is not at all to the taste of the mayor of Marseille.
In comments relayed by La Provence, the Marseille official clearly took a position against the arrival of the Algerian international at OM. I am not the president of Olympique de Marseille, but I can tell you one thing: every anti-Semitic statement, every racist statement that has been condemned (…) is not acceptable, has no place in sport, has no place at Olympique de Marseille. »
The mayor wants to speak to the president
Sentenced in January to an eight-month suspended prison sentence for incitement to racial hatred, Youcef Atal would agree with OM to sign a one-year contract, with an optional year. But Benoît Payan is therefore ready to veto it: ”
I guarantee that I will contact the president of OM. There is no room for this kind of excess. Whether we are Jewish, Muslim, Christian or atheist, we are all in the stadium, we all have the same fervor. If there is one who wears the jersey of Olympique de Marseille and who does not have his values there, then he has no place there. »
It remains to be seen whether the mayor will follow through with his ideas and succeed in changing the minds of Pablo Longoria and the OM recruiters. The controversy is once again growing around Youcef Atal.
Written by:
Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team.
 
 As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers.
 
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