Marseille and OM “played an integrating role”
In the Rotatives room at The Marseillaise, the conversation very quickly became informal. The two authors of OM is ours indeed got caught up in the question and answer games with the readers. And proof of the relevance of their work, passion was found in the middle of the debates, some even recounting their memories of May 26, 1993 …
After the explanation of the genesis of the book, which occurred after the invasion of the Commandery by disillusioned supporters last season, the two authors detailed their analysis. ” Football has taken on a special place and today it is more than a sport “, clarifies Alain Hayot. ” Olympique de Marseille has a crossed history with this city and consequently OM has developed a collective imagination. It is reflected in the motto “straight to the point”, in a style of play, but also with a crossed history of a singular city. “
To understand the club founded in 1899, the two friends therefore analyzed the history of the oldest town in France from several angles. ” Marseille is a cosmopolitan and multicultural city. This city and the OM have played an integrating role. Identifying yourself with your city means going to the stadium », Adds Hayot.
Le Vél ‘, an equal place for a match
The debates naturally drift towards the Vélodrome stadium, a place sometimes criticized but which over time has become a veritable Greek agora, the only universal gathering place for the Phocaean people. ” Marseille is a rebellious city. It is in crisis, very unequal, and divided socially, ethnically and territorially. However, there is a place where everyone gathers, it is the Velodrome stadium.. It’s an egalitarian place for a match, there is no rich or poor. Everyone wears the same tracksuit. The Stade Vélodrome is a reduction of the city. “
This story ” singular and not unique “, Remains for the two writers essential to analyze to give” some keys to understanding Marseille and its football club “. They also specify that several presidents, such as Jacques-Henri Eyraud, “ did not understand anything about this club and this city And often left by the back door. Moreover, if the violent invasion of the Robert-Louis-Dreyfus training center is excessive, it remains for them decisive: ” Either OM tipped over to an entrepreneurial logic or it continued to be the representative of a collective identity “.
Very quickly the debates turned to another president. ” Bernard Tapie immediately understood the importance of supporters as facilitators, of course, but above all as opinion leaders. This is why it gives them the management of subscriptions in turn », Explains Jean-Louis Pacull. But for them, the affection of supporters towards “the Boss” has above all an irrational side: ” It brings OM to the roof of Europe. But we forget that in the months that follow, the judicial authorities are set in motion, Tapie ends up in prison and OM goes to the second division. We also take away the last league title. Everyone forgave him that. “