Olympique de Marseille
Encyclopedia
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football
club based in Marseille
. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1
and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football
. Marseille have been French champions
nine times and have won the Coupe de France
a record ten times. In 1993, the club became the first and only French club to win the UEFA Champions League
. In 1994, Marseille was relegated because of a bribery scandal, losing its domestic trophy, but not the UEFA Champions League
title. In 2010, Marseille became French champions again, under the stewardship of former club captain Didier Deschamps
.
Marseille's home ground is the 60,031-person-capacity Stade Vélodrome
located in the southern part of the city, where they have played since 1937. The Stade Vélodrome is renowned for its lively atmosphere. The club enjoys a large fan-base having regularly averaged the highest all-time attendance in French football. Marseille's average home gate for the 2008–09 season was 52,276, the highest in the Ligue 1.
Marseille's traditional kit colours were white shirts and shorts with blue socks until 1986. Since 1986, Marseille have played with white shirts, white shorts and white socks, and the blue color became lighter due to Adidas
marketing. The club's current badge was adopted in 2004. The club's motto Droit Au But (French for "Straight to the Goal") appears under the badge and a star representing the victory in the Champions League is featured on the top. In 1997, Marseille was purchased by Franco
-Swiss
businessman Robert Louis-Dreyfus
.
some 25 centuries earlier, with the name Olympique, coming from ancient Olympic Games and the colours (reversed flag
of Greece
) chosen to represent the club. At first, rugby union
was the most important team sport of the club, the motto Droit au but coming from rugby. Affiliated with USFSA
since 1898, it was only in 1902, thanks to English and German (still according to André Gascard
), that football began to be played by Olympique de Marseille. Richer and better organized than other football teams of Marseille (Sporting, Stade, Phocéenne.), Olympique de Marseille, playing at the Stade de l'Huveaune
, took the leadership in the city. In 1904, Olympique de Marseille won the first Championnat du Littoral, opposing teams from Marseille and its suburbs, and took part in the final rounds of the eleventh French championship. At that time, the word "football" applied to rugby, and people used the word "Association" (which would be soccer in North America) for football.
During the twenties, Olympique de Marseille became an important team in France, winning the Coupe de France in 1924, 1926 and 1927. The team won the French championship in 1929, defeating Club Français. The Coupe de France in 1924 was the club's first major title, won against FC Sète
which dominated French football at the time. In the twenties, numerous French internationals such as Jules Dewaquez
, Jean Boyer or Joseph Alcazar
played for Marseille. In 1930, Marseille lost against Sète, which would be the winner, in the semi-final round. In 1931, the team became champion of the South-East, with victories against rivals such as Sète. In Coupe de France, l'OM lost in 5 matches to Club Français, winning the second match which was canceled due to the disqualification of the Marseille striker Vernicke. Even though the 1931–32 season was less successful, Marseille easily entered professionalism. In 1932, the team became a member of the union of professional clubs. On 13 January 1932 at 9:15 pm, at the Brasserie des Sports, Mr. Dard, Mr. Bison, Dr. Rollenstein, Mr. Etchepare, Mr. Leblanc, Mr. Mille, Mr. Anfosso, Mr. Sabatier, Mr. Seze, Mr. Bazat, Mr. Molteroj, and Mr. Pollack elected the following committee:
Honour Presidents: Paul Le Cesne et Fernand Bouisson
President: M. Dard
Vice-Presidents: Mr. Leblanc, Mr. Bison, Mr. Etchepare, Dr. Rollenstein et Mr. Anfosso
General Secretary: Mr. Possel-Daydier
Treasurer: Mr Bison (assisted by Mr Ribel).
For the first championship, Division 1 was divided into two pools. Marseille finished second in the first, behind Lille OSC
. For its first match of the championship, Marseille defeated the future champion, Lille.
In 1937, Marseille won its first professional French championship thanks to goal average (+30 for Marseille, +17 for FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
). The arrival of Vasconcellos made the defence stronger, whereas former goalkeeper Laurent Di Lorto
shone with Sochaux
and France
. In the meantime, Marseille won the Coupe de France in 1935 and 1938 but failed a double success in 1934, due to FC Sète
.
In 1938, Larbi Ben Barek signed with Marseille and became "the black pearl" for the team. World War II would cut his career short. The 1942–43 season was full of records: 100 goals in 30 matches, including 20 in one match (20–2 against Avignon), in which Aznar scored 9 goals, including the first 8 (Marseille was leading 8–0), playing only 70 minutes. Aznar scored 45 goals in 30 matches, plus 11 in cup games, for a record of 56 goals in 38 matches. With the minots (young players) of the moment (Scotti, Robin, Dard, Pironti), Marseille won the cup in two matches against FC Girondins de Bordeaux
(4–0).
In 1948, thanks to a draw against Sochaux
, Marseille became the champions of France. The two last victories at the Stade Vélodrome
against Roubaix (6–0) and FC Metz
(6–3) were important, as Aznar and Robin's returned in spring.
In 1952, Marseille was about to be relegated, but Gunnar Andersson
saved his team, finishing as best scorer with 31 goals. The team won (5–3) on aggregate against US Valenciennes.The same year, Marseille lost at the Stade Vélodrome
against AS Saint-Étienne
10–3, but Liberati was injured. In 1953, Gunnar Andersson would take the record of goals scored in one season with 35. Marseille was runner-up in the Coupe de France (OGC Nice
won 2–1) in 1954 and the Coupe Drago in 1957 to (RC Lens
which won 3–1). Marseille were struggling at the time and were relegated for the first time in 1959. From 1959 to 1965, the team played in the second division, except during the 1962/63 season, finishing 20th out of 20 in the first division. In 1965, Marcel Leclerc became president.
in 1965–66. They went on to win the Coupe de France in 1969 as well as the First division
in 1971 with a record of 44 goals by Josip Skoblar
, helped by Roger Magnusson
. The arrival of Georges Carnus
and Bernard Bosquier
from Saint-Étienne
helped them to win the Ligue 1
and the Coupe de France in 1972. Marseille played in the European Cup
in 1971–72 and 1972–73 but were defeated by AFC Ajax of Johan Cruijff and Juventus
. However, success was not to last. Marcel Leclerc was forced to leave the club on 19 July 1972. The president was a stubborn man, and he threatened the whole league by threatening to withdraw his professional team from Ligue 1
because the federation refused to accept three foreign players in one team (Leclerc wanted to acquire the Hungarian
star Zoltán Varga
but he had already the maximum number of two foreigners in his team). But Marseille decided, instead of following Leclerc against the league, to fire him. Then followed an era of crisis with Marseille only winning a Coupe de France in 1976 and being relegated to the second division, where they played with a bunch of young local players: the Minots who allowed the team to return back to First division
in 1984. Éric Di Meco
was one of them.
became president, thanks to Marseille
mayor Gaston Defferre
, and promptly built the greatest team ever seen in France. His first signings were Karl-Heinz Forster and Alain Giresse, who were bought after the 1986 FIFA World Cup
. Tapie signed a large number of highly regarded players over the next few years in his pursuit of the European Cup, such as Jean-Pierre Papin
, Chris Waddle
, Klaus Allofs
, Enzo Francescoli
, Abedi Pelé
, Didier Deschamps
, Basile Boli
, Marcel Desailly
, Rudi Völler
and Eric Cantona
as well as appointing high-profile coaches like Franz Beckenbauer
, Gérard Gili and Raymond Goethals
. Between 1989 and 1992, Olympique de Marseille won 4 League titles in a row and the French Cup. The highlight of the club's history is winning the new format Champions League
in 1993. Basile Boli
scored the only goal against Italy's A.C. Milan
in the final held in Munich
's Olympic Stadium
. That triumph was the first time ever for a French club and it made Didier Deschamps
and Fabien Barthez
the youngest captain and goalkeeper, respectively, to capture the title.
This, however, was followed by a decade of decline. In 1994, due to financial irregularities and a match fixing scandal involving then president Bernard Tapie
, they suffered forced relegation to the second division
, where Marseille stayed two years before coming back to First division
. Moreover, they lost their 1992–93 Division 1 title and the right to play in the UEFA Champions League 1993-94
, the 1993 European Super Cup and the 1993 Intercontinental Cup
. This scandal, called l'affaire VA-OM (VA for Union Sportive Valenciennes-Anzin
and OM for Olympique de Marseille), was denounced by Valenciennes
, whose players Jacques Glassmann
, Jorge Burruchaga
and Christophe Robert
were contacted by Marseille player Jean-Jacques Eydelie
, in order to let OM win and, more importantly, not to injure any OM player ahead of the UEFA Champions League
final.
's owner Robert Louis-Dreyfus
. He chose Rolland Courbis as coach, signed Fabrizio Ravanelli
, Laurent Blanc
, and Andreas Köpke
, and Marseille finished 11th for his return. For the 1998–99 season, the team celebrated his centenary and built a team of stars: Robert Pirès
, Florian Maurice
, and Christophe Dugarry, culminating in a second place finish in the French championship, behind Bordeaux
and an appearance in the UEFA Cup
Final in 1999, losing to Parma
. Courbis left the team in November 1999, after a poor start to the season. The closest Marseille to get another trophy was when they reached the UEFA Cup
Final in 2004, impressively beating Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, Internazionale, Liverpool
, and Newcastle United
along the way. But they were beaten in the final by newly-crowned Spanish champions Valencia CF
and once again fans were forced to continue waiting for the next trophy to come along.
In 2005, Marseille succeeded in winning Intertoto Cup, beating the likes of Lazio
and Deportivo La Coruña in doing so, and earning another shot at the UEFA Cup.
In January 2007, there was negotiation between Dreyfus and Jack Kachkar
, a Canadian doctor and businessman (CEO of pharmaceutical company Inyx), about the selling of the club. As Jack Kachkar
took too much time to buy the team, Robert Louis-Dreyfus
decided on 22 March 2007 not to sell to the Canadian businessman.
Another close call to glory was in the French Cup final against Sochaux
in May 2007. However, they lost on penalties after a 2–2 draw after extra time, to the disappointment of everyone linked with the club, but they soon wiped all that disappointment away by qualifying for the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League group stage, after securing 2nd place with a game to go.
In the Champions League, Marseille became the first French team to win at Anfield
when they beat 2007 runners-up Liverpool
1–0, and the team took 6 out of 6 points from their opening two games. They only drew one more match, and in a winner-takes-all final group game they lost 4–0 to Liverpool, who became the first English team to win at the Stade Vélodrome. Marseille, coming third in the Champions League Group A, then joined the UEFA Cup
.
Marseille finished the 2008–09 season with a second place finish in Ligue 1, following a tight race with Girondins de Bordeaux for the title. This earned them a direct entry into the group stages of the UEFA Champions League, their third consecutive season in the competition. Marseille won the 2010 Coupe de la Ligue Final
beating Bordeaux 3–1 at the Stade de France
in March 2010. This was their first major title since their Champions League triumph 17 years previously. Two months later, Marseille won their first league championship
for 18 years with two games to spare after beating Rennes 3–1.
Marseille defeated PSG on penalties to win the 2010 Trophée des Champions
at Stade 7 Novembre in Rades
, Tunisia before the season began. Marseille then became the first team to win back-to-back Coupe de la Ligue
successes when they won the 2011
edition by beating Montpellier HSC
1–0 on 23 April. Before that, they qualified for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since their historic success, but lost unluckily 2–1 at Old Trafford to Manchester United and also set a Champions League record by thrashing MSK Zilina
7–0 in what was the biggest away win in the competition's history.
In 2011, Marseille lost the Ligue 1 championship title but qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the fifth time in a row, a club record. On 27 July 2011, Marseille successfully won the 2011 Trophée des Champions
title by beating LOSC Lille Métropole 5–4 at Stade de Tanger
in Morocco
. The result was significant as OM were 3–1 down with 5 minutes to go, only to embark on a remarkable comeback which saw 5 goals scored in the last five minutes with Andre Ayew
scoring a hat-trick.
and Olympique de Marseille. The term Classique is modeled on the El Clásico
, which is contested between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Like all the game's major rivalries, the antipathy between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille extends outside the pitch. The so-called French clásico has a historical, cultural and social importance that makes it more than just a football game, pitching capital against province and "Provence
" and the chosen ones of French football against its enfants terribles (terrible children). With PSG being located in the north in the French capital and Marseille located along the Mediterranean coast, the rivalry is often referred to as "the North versus the South."
PSG and Marseille are the only French clubs to have won European trophies, having won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
in 1996 and the UEFA Champions League
in 1993 respectively, and were the two dominant forces before the emergence of Lyon
at the beginning of the 21st century. However, despite their recent ups and downs, PSG and l'OM remain, along with Saint-Étienne
, the French clubs with the most faithful and passionate fan base, giving the country's biggest match a special atmosphere.
. The club was the owner of the venue, contrary to its current stadium. L'Huveaune, a time named "Stade Fernand Buisson" in honour of a former rugby
player
of the club who became deputee was renovated at the beginning of the twenties, thanks to supporter's financial help. It had a capacity of . After 1937, l'OM used this venue under Marcel Leclerc's presidency in order to compel the city of Marseille
to lower the rent of Stade Vélodrome
and during the renovation of Vélodrome
for Euro 1984, during the 1982/83 season. The stadium again underwent redevelopment in time for the 1998 World Cup
and was transformed into an immense ground composed of two Curva
ends (Virage Nord and Virage Sud – North Curve and South Curve) which house the supporters groups as well as the main stand, Jean Bouin, and the imposing Ganay stand. Today, the team regularly fills their impressive home, the Stade Vélodrome, which seats 60,013.
The municipality will cover the stadium and increase its capacity to 67,000 in order to receive the Euro 2016
games.
Before the start of each home game the song Jump
by Van Halen
is heard.
When a goal is scored by Marseille in their home matches the song Come with Me
by Puff Daddy is played.
shield was adopted, with a simple "M" encased within the "O". In 1972, Olympique redesigned its logo, this time preferring a complex "M" letterform. In 1986, the club re-adopted its first badge; the logo evolved slightly over the next few decades, gaining a star in 1993 to commemorate the club's UEFA Champions League trophy. To commemorate the club's 100th anniversary in 1999, a variant featuring a golden "O" and a turquoise "M" was used; a similar 110th anniversary logo was used during the 2009–2010 season.
The most recent form was revealed on 17 February 2004; the "O" and "M" are rendered as a single unit in turquoise
without shading or borders, and the logo is capped by the golden star and sits above the club motto, also rendered in gold.
style ends behind the goals.
Virage Nord-Patrice de Peretti
The North Curve is home to the Yankee Nord Marseille, Marseille Trop Puissant, Fanatics, and Dodgers supporters associations who buy up the tickets at the start of each season and sell them on to their members. The Virage Nord is situated next to the away enclosure which is protected by high fences.
In 2002, the Virage Nord was officially given the name of Patrice de Peretti (1972–2000), the late founder and leader of the supporters group Marseille Trop Puissant. In 2010, the third kit of OLympique was a tribute to MTP, with the red, yellow and green colours of Africa, symbols of this left-wing curva.
Virage Sud Chevalier de la roze
As with the Virage Nord, the South Curve is controlled by supporter's associations with the Commando Ultras
1984 and the South Winners dominating the central section and Amis de l'OM and Club Central des Supporteurs filling the remaining sections of the stand.
The 2007/2008 third shirt of OM was a tribute to South Winners fans which the colours are orange, as they are traditionally left winged fans.
Livorno – AEK – Marseille
There is a strong relationship between AS Livorno
, AEK Athens, and Olympique Marseille. Marseille fans often lift banners and create choreography in support of the fellow teams.
's total of ten. Marseille also have the record in Coupe de France
titles (with 10). Marseille have achieved two Championship and Cup "Doubles
" (in 1972 and 1989).
They are the only French club to win the UEFA Champions League, in 1993.
– 1991
(44 goals) – 1971
official website Olympique de Marseille at the UEFA
official website
Football in France
Football is the most popular sport in France. The Fédération Française de Football is the national governing bodyand is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the game of association football in the country, both professional and amateur...
club based in Marseille
Marseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football
Football in France
Football is the most popular sport in France. The Fédération Française de Football is the national governing bodyand is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the game of association football in the country, both professional and amateur...
. Marseille have been French champions
French football champions
The French football champions are the winners of the highest league of football in France, Ligue 1. Since the National Council of the French Football Federation voted in support of professionalism in French football in 1930, the professional football championship of France has been contested...
nine times and have won the Coupe de France
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
a record ten times. In 1993, the club became the first and only French club to win the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. In 1994, Marseille was relegated because of a bribery scandal, losing its domestic trophy, but not the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
title. In 2010, Marseille became French champions again, under the stewardship of former club captain Didier Deschamps
Didier Deschamps
Didier Claude Deschamps is a retired French footballer and current manager of Marseille. He played as a defensive midfielder. As an international, he assisted France with victories in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000...
.
Marseille's home ground is the 60,031-person-capacity Stade Vélodrome
Stade Vélodrome
The Stade Vélodrome is a football stadium in Marseille, France. It is home to the Olympique de Marseille football club of Ligue 1, and was a venue in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2007 Rugby World Cup. It is the largest club-football ground in France, with a capacity of 60,031 spectators,...
located in the southern part of the city, where they have played since 1937. The Stade Vélodrome is renowned for its lively atmosphere. The club enjoys a large fan-base having regularly averaged the highest all-time attendance in French football. Marseille's average home gate for the 2008–09 season was 52,276, the highest in the Ligue 1.
Marseille's traditional kit colours were white shirts and shorts with blue socks until 1986. Since 1986, Marseille have played with white shirts, white shorts and white socks, and the blue color became lighter due to Adidas
Adidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
marketing. The club's current badge was adopted in 2004. The club's motto Droit Au But (French for "Straight to the Goal") appears under the badge and a star representing the victory in the Champions League is featured on the top. In 1997, Marseille was purchased by Franco
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
-Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
businessman Robert Louis-Dreyfus
Robert Louis-Dreyfus
Robert Louis-Dreyfus was a businessman who had major success as Chief Executive Officer of Adidas-Salomon and Saatchi & Saatchi. He was a majority shareholder of the French football team Olympique de Marseille, and during his tenure they re-emerged as a major European football club.- Early life...
.
History
Olympique de Marseille was founded by René Dufaure de Montmirail, a French sport official, in 1892, as an omnisport club. Known as Sporting Club, US Phocéenne, and Football Club de Marseille in the first five years after its founding, the club adopted the name Olympique de Marseille in 1899, in honor of the anniversary of Marseille's founding by Greeks from PhocaeaPhocaea
Phocaea, or Phokaia, was an ancient Ionian Greek city on the western coast of Anatolia. Greek colonists from Phocaea founded the colony of Massalia in 600 BC, Emporion in 575 BC and Elea in 540 BC.-Geography:Phocaea was the northernmost...
some 25 centuries earlier, with the name Olympique, coming from ancient Olympic Games and the colours (reversed flag
Flag
A flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
of Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
) chosen to represent the club. At first, rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
was the most important team sport of the club, the motto Droit au but coming from rugby. Affiliated with USFSA
Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques
Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques is a former French sports governing body. During the 1890s and early 1900s it organised numerous sports including athletics, cycling, field hockey, fencing, croquet and swimming...
since 1898, it was only in 1902, thanks to English and German (still according to André Gascard
André Gascard
André Gascard is a former French footballer born 16 November 1890 in Agen, died 16 October 1969 in Marseille. He played most of his career at Sète and Marseille.- Biography :...
), that football began to be played by Olympique de Marseille. Richer and better organized than other football teams of Marseille (Sporting, Stade, Phocéenne.), Olympique de Marseille, playing at the Stade de l'Huveaune
Stade de l'Huveaune
Stade de l'Huveaune was a multi-purpose stadium in Marseille, France. It was used mostly for football matches and was the home ground for Olympique de Marseille from 1904 to 1937. The stadium had an eventual capacity of around 15,000 spectators, and the club moved to Stade Vélodrome in...
, took the leadership in the city. In 1904, Olympique de Marseille won the first Championnat du Littoral, opposing teams from Marseille and its suburbs, and took part in the final rounds of the eleventh French championship. At that time, the word "football" applied to rugby, and people used the word "Association" (which would be soccer in North America) for football.
During the twenties, Olympique de Marseille became an important team in France, winning the Coupe de France in 1924, 1926 and 1927. The team won the French championship in 1929, defeating Club Français. The Coupe de France in 1924 was the club's first major title, won against FC Sète
FC Sète
FC Sète 34 is a French football club based in Sète and founded in 1900. The club won the French league twice and the French cup also twice . In 1934 they became the first club to win the French league and cup double....
which dominated French football at the time. In the twenties, numerous French internationals such as Jules Dewaquez
Jules Dewaquez
Jules Dewaquez , was a French amateur footballer, who played for both club and country on the right wing. He was extremely short and renowned for his small moustache. By profession he was a technical draughtsman, but he became one of the most successful French players during the 1920s...
, Jean Boyer or Joseph Alcazar
Joseph Alcazar
Joseph Alcazar was a French association football striker. He was part of the French national team at the FIFA World Cup 1934.- Olympique de Marseille:* Coupe de France: 1934* Coupe de France runner-up : 1934-References:**...
played for Marseille. In 1930, Marseille lost against Sète, which would be the winner, in the semi-final round. In 1931, the team became champion of the South-East, with victories against rivals such as Sète. In Coupe de France, l'OM lost in 5 matches to Club Français, winning the second match which was canceled due to the disqualification of the Marseille striker Vernicke. Even though the 1931–32 season was less successful, Marseille easily entered professionalism. In 1932, the team became a member of the union of professional clubs. On 13 January 1932 at 9:15 pm, at the Brasserie des Sports, Mr. Dard, Mr. Bison, Dr. Rollenstein, Mr. Etchepare, Mr. Leblanc, Mr. Mille, Mr. Anfosso, Mr. Sabatier, Mr. Seze, Mr. Bazat, Mr. Molteroj, and Mr. Pollack elected the following committee:
Honour Presidents: Paul Le Cesne et Fernand Bouisson
President: M. Dard
Vice-Presidents: Mr. Leblanc, Mr. Bison, Mr. Etchepare, Dr. Rollenstein et Mr. Anfosso
General Secretary: Mr. Possel-Daydier
Treasurer: Mr Bison (assisted by Mr Ribel).
For the first championship, Division 1 was divided into two pools. Marseille finished second in the first, behind Lille OSC
Lille OSC
LOSC Lille Métropole is a French association football club based in Lille. The club was founded in 1944 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football. Lille plays its home matches at the Stade Lille-Metropole in nearby Villeneuve-d'Ascq. In 2012, the...
. For its first match of the championship, Marseille defeated the future champion, Lille.
In 1937, Marseille won its first professional French championship thanks to goal average (+30 for Marseille, +17 for FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...
). The arrival of Vasconcellos made the defence stronger, whereas former goalkeeper Laurent Di Lorto
Laurent Di Lorto
Laurent Di Lorto was a French footballer who played goalkeeper. He was France's goalkeeper at 1938 FIFA World Cup.-External links and references:*http://www.fff.fr/servfff/historique/historique.php?id=DI%20LORTO%20Laurent...
shone with Sochaux
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...
and France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
. In the meantime, Marseille won the Coupe de France in 1935 and 1938 but failed a double success in 1934, due to FC Sète
FC Sète
FC Sète 34 is a French football club based in Sète and founded in 1900. The club won the French league twice and the French cup also twice . In 1934 they became the first club to win the French league and cup double....
.
In 1938, Larbi Ben Barek signed with Marseille and became "the black pearl" for the team. World War II would cut his career short. The 1942–43 season was full of records: 100 goals in 30 matches, including 20 in one match (20–2 against Avignon), in which Aznar scored 9 goals, including the first 8 (Marseille was leading 8–0), playing only 70 minutes. Aznar scored 45 goals in 30 matches, plus 11 in cup games, for a record of 56 goals in 38 matches. With the minots (young players) of the moment (Scotti, Robin, Dard, Pironti), Marseille won the cup in two matches against FC Girondins de Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
(4–0).
In 1948, thanks to a draw against Sochaux
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...
, Marseille became the champions of France. The two last victories at the Stade Vélodrome
Stade Vélodrome
The Stade Vélodrome is a football stadium in Marseille, France. It is home to the Olympique de Marseille football club of Ligue 1, and was a venue in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2007 Rugby World Cup. It is the largest club-football ground in France, with a capacity of 60,031 spectators,...
against Roubaix (6–0) and FC Metz
FC Metz
Football Club de Metz, commonly referred to as simply Metz , is a French association football club based in Metz. The club was formed in 1932 and has spent most of its history in the Ligue 1, though they currently play in Ligue 2, the second level in French football league system. Metz plays its...
(6–3) were important, as Aznar and Robin's returned in spring.
In 1952, Marseille was about to be relegated, but Gunnar Andersson
Gunnar Andersson
Gunnar Andersson, was a football player from Sweden. He is widely considered as one of Olympique de Marseille best strikers, along with Josip Skoblar and Jean-Pierre Papinby who?....
saved his team, finishing as best scorer with 31 goals. The team won (5–3) on aggregate against US Valenciennes.The same year, Marseille lost at the Stade Vélodrome
Stade Vélodrome
The Stade Vélodrome is a football stadium in Marseille, France. It is home to the Olympique de Marseille football club of Ligue 1, and was a venue in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2007 Rugby World Cup. It is the largest club-football ground in France, with a capacity of 60,031 spectators,...
against AS Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
10–3, but Liberati was injured. In 1953, Gunnar Andersson would take the record of goals scored in one season with 35. Marseille was runner-up in the Coupe de France (OGC Nice
OGC Nice
Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is...
won 2–1) in 1954 and the Coupe Drago in 1957 to (RC Lens
RC Lens
Racing Club de Lens is a French association football club based in the northern city of Lens in the Pas-de-Calais department. Its nickname, sang et or , comes from its traditional colours of red and gold. Their primary rivals are their northern neighbors Lille OSC, whom they contest the Derby du...
which won 3–1). Marseille were struggling at the time and were relegated for the first time in 1959. From 1959 to 1965, the team played in the second division, except during the 1962/63 season, finishing 20th out of 20 in the first division. In 1965, Marcel Leclerc became president.
Marcel Leclerc era and crisis
The first period of Olympique de Marseille's domination of the French League started in the early '70s under Marcel Leclerc's presidency (1965–1972). His ambition allowed Marseille to return to the First divisionLigue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
in 1965–66. They went on to win the Coupe de France in 1969 as well as the First division
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
in 1971 with a record of 44 goals by Josip Skoblar
Josip Skoblar
Josip "Joško" Skoblar is a Croatian former football player and manager. He was primarily a forward, and also capable of playing on both wings.-Club:...
, helped by Roger Magnusson
Roger Magnusson
Roger Magnusson is a former football player from Sweden. He's a brother of fellow footballer Benno Magnusson....
. The arrival of Georges Carnus
Georges Carnus
Georges Carnus Georges Carnus Georges Carnus (born 13 August 1940 is a former French international footballer who played as goalkeeper.-Biography:He was selected in France for FIFA World Cup 1966 in England but remained Marcel Aubour's substitute.He later signed with AS Saint-Étienne, winning his...
and Bernard Bosquier
Bernard Bosquier
Bernard Bosquier is a former French international footballer who played defender.-Biography:...
from Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
helped them to win the Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
and the Coupe de France in 1972. Marseille played in the European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
in 1971–72 and 1972–73 but were defeated by AFC Ajax of Johan Cruijff and Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
. However, success was not to last. Marcel Leclerc was forced to leave the club on 19 July 1972. The president was a stubborn man, and he threatened the whole league by threatening to withdraw his professional team from Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
because the federation refused to accept three foreign players in one team (Leclerc wanted to acquire the Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
star Zoltán Varga
Zoltán Varga (footballer)
Zoltán Varga was a Hungarian football player who played in the 1960s and 1970s.He was an Olympic gold medalist at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He played for Ferencváros when they won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1965, beating Juventus 1-0 in the final...
but he had already the maximum number of two foreigners in his team). But Marseille decided, instead of following Leclerc against the league, to fire him. Then followed an era of crisis with Marseille only winning a Coupe de France in 1976 and being relegated to the second division, where they played with a bunch of young local players: the Minots who allowed the team to return back to First division
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
in 1984. Éric Di Meco
Éric Di Meco
Éric Di Meco is a retired French footballer who played as a left defender.-Football career:During his career, Di Meco played mostly for Olympique de Marseille; after starting as a midfielder, and serving loans at AS Nancy and FC Martigues, he returned definitely in 1988, going on to amass a...
was one of them.
Bernard Tapie era and OM/VA bribery scandal
On 12 April 1986, Bernard TapieBernard Tapie
Bernard Tapie is a French businessman, politician and occasional actor, singer, and TV host. He was Ministre de la Ville in the government of Pierre Bérégovoy, a businessman specializing in recovery for bankrupted companies, among which Adidas is the most famous ; and owner of sports teams...
became president, thanks to Marseille
Marseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
mayor Gaston Defferre
Gaston Defferre
Gaston Defferre was a French socialist politician.-Biography:Lawyer and member of the French Section of the Workers' International political party, he was a member of the Brutus Network, a Resistance Socialist group during World War II...
, and promptly built the greatest team ever seen in France. His first signings were Karl-Heinz Forster and Alain Giresse, who were bought after the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
. Tapie signed a large number of highly regarded players over the next few years in his pursuit of the European Cup, such as Jean-Pierre Papin
Jean-Pierre Papin
Jean-Pierre Papin is a former French professional football player who was European Footballer of the Year in 1991.Papin achieved his greatest success while playing for Olympique Marseille between 1986 and 1992...
, Chris Waddle
Chris Waddle
Christopher Roland "Chris" Waddle is a former footballer from England. He played for a number of clubs in the 1980s and 90s, including Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield Wednesday in England, and Olympique de Marseille in France...
, Klaus Allofs
Klaus Allofs
Klaus Allofs is a retired German footballer, who played as a striker.A prolific goalscorer for club and country , his younger brother, Thomas, was also a professional footballer – and a striker.-Club career:Allofs began playing...
, Enzo Francescoli
Enzo Francescoli
Enzo Francescoli Uriarte is a former uruguayan football player of Italian and Spanish origin, who retired in 1997. An elegant and highly skillful dribbler, passer, and goal-scorer, Francescoli was nicknamed El Príncipe or Le Prince...
, Abedi Pelé
Abédi Pelé
Abedi Ayew, known professionally as Abedi Pele is a former Ghana International football player and captain. Having been given the nickname "Pelé" in recognition of his superior ability that evoked comparisons to Brazilian great Pelé, he found fame in France's Ligue 1 with Lille OSC and Olympique...
, Didier Deschamps
Didier Deschamps
Didier Claude Deschamps is a retired French footballer and current manager of Marseille. He played as a defensive midfielder. As an international, he assisted France with victories in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000...
, Basile Boli
Basile Boli
Basile Boli is a French former footballer and current television sports presenter.-Career:Although born in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Boli moved to France at an early age and began his career in local youth football in Paris before signing for AJ Auxerre in 1982...
, Marcel Desailly
Marcel Desailly
Marcel Desailly is a retired Ghanaian born French footballer and star of the France national football team squad, with whom he won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000...
, Rudi Völler
Rudi Völler
Rudolf 'Rudi' Völler is a German former international football striker, and a former manager of the German national team...
and Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona
Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona is a French actor and former French international footballer. He played for Auxerre, Martigues, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nîmes and Leeds United before ending his professional footballing career at Manchester United, where he won four Premier League titles in...
as well as appointing high-profile coaches like Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Anton Beckenbauer is a German football coach, manager, and former player, nicknamed Der Kaiser because of his elegant style, his leadership, his first name "Franz" , and his dominance on the football pitch...
, Gérard Gili and Raymond Goethals
Raymond Goethals
Raymond Goethals was a Belgian football coach who notably led Marseille to victory in the UEFA Champions League final in 1993, becoming the first coach to win a European trophy with a French club....
. Between 1989 and 1992, Olympique de Marseille won 4 League titles in a row and the French Cup. The highlight of the club's history is winning the new format Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
in 1993. Basile Boli
Basile Boli
Basile Boli is a French former footballer and current television sports presenter.-Career:Although born in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Boli moved to France at an early age and began his career in local youth football in Paris before signing for AJ Auxerre in 1982...
scored the only goal against Italy's A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
in the final held in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
's Olympic Stadium
Olympic Stadium (Munich)
Olympiastadion is a stadium located in Munich, Germany. Situated at the heart of the Olympiapark München in northern Munich, the stadium was built as the main venue for the 1972 Summer Olympics....
. That triumph was the first time ever for a French club and it made Didier Deschamps
Didier Deschamps
Didier Claude Deschamps is a retired French footballer and current manager of Marseille. He played as a defensive midfielder. As an international, he assisted France with victories in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000...
and Fabien Barthez
Fabien Barthez
Fabien Alain Barthez is a former French footballer goalkeeper who won honours with Manchester United and the French national team, with whom he won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000 and reached the final of the 2006 World Cup. He shares the record for the most World Cup finals clean sheets...
the youngest captain and goalkeeper, respectively, to capture the title.
This, however, was followed by a decade of decline. In 1994, due to financial irregularities and a match fixing scandal involving then president Bernard Tapie
Bernard Tapie
Bernard Tapie is a French businessman, politician and occasional actor, singer, and TV host. He was Ministre de la Ville in the government of Pierre Bérégovoy, a businessman specializing in recovery for bankrupted companies, among which Adidas is the most famous ; and owner of sports teams...
, they suffered forced relegation to the second division
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
, where Marseille stayed two years before coming back to First division
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
. Moreover, they lost their 1992–93 Division 1 title and the right to play in the UEFA Champions League 1993-94
UEFA Champions League 1993-94
The 1993–94 UEFA Champions League was the 39th edition of UEFA's top club football tournament, and the second since the tournament was rebranded as the UEFA Champions League. The competition was won by A.C. Milan, their fifth title, beating Barcelona 4–0 in the final...
, the 1993 European Super Cup and the 1993 Intercontinental Cup
1993 Intercontinental Cup
The 1993 Intercontinental Cup was a football match played on December 12, 1993 between A.C. Milan, runners-up of the 1992-93 UEFA Champions League, and São Paulo, winners of the 1993 Copa Libertadores. The match was played at the National Stadium in Tokyo...
. This scandal, called l'affaire VA-OM (VA for Union Sportive Valenciennes-Anzin
Valenciennes FC
Valenciennes Football Club is a French association football club based in Valenciennes. The club was founded in 1913 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Valenciennes plays its home matches at the recently-built Stade du Hainaut located within the city...
and OM for Olympique de Marseille), was denounced by Valenciennes
Valenciennes FC
Valenciennes Football Club is a French association football club based in Valenciennes. The club was founded in 1913 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Valenciennes plays its home matches at the recently-built Stade du Hainaut located within the city...
, whose players Jacques Glassmann
Jacques Glassmann
Jacques Glassmann is a former footballer from France.He is famous for having revealed the bribery scandal involving Olympique de Marseille and his team US Valenciennes...
, Jorge Burruchaga
Jorge Burruchaga
Jorge Luis Burruchaga is a former Argentine professional football player, and last manager of Arsenal de Sarandí in the Primera División Argentina...
and Christophe Robert
Christophe Robert
Christophe Robert is a former footballer from France.He is famous for having been involved in the bribery scandal involving Olympique de Marseille and his team US Valenciennes...
were contacted by Marseille player Jean-Jacques Eydelie
Jean-Jacques Eydelie
Jean-Jacques Eydelie is a French former footballer most noted for his role in the Marseille match-fixing scandal of 1993. A midfielder, Eydelie began his career with Nantes, before joining Marseille in 1992...
, in order to let OM win and, more importantly, not to injure any OM player ahead of the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
final.
Return to success?
Marseille returned to the top flight in 1996 with backing from AdidasAdidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
's owner Robert Louis-Dreyfus
Robert Louis-Dreyfus
Robert Louis-Dreyfus was a businessman who had major success as Chief Executive Officer of Adidas-Salomon and Saatchi & Saatchi. He was a majority shareholder of the French football team Olympique de Marseille, and during his tenure they re-emerged as a major European football club.- Early life...
. He chose Rolland Courbis as coach, signed Fabrizio Ravanelli
Fabrizio Ravanelli
Fabrizio Ravanelli is a former international Italian football player, who won five titles with Juventus, including a Serie A championship in 1995 and a Champions League title in 1996....
, Laurent Blanc
Laurent Blanc
Laurent Robert Blanc is a French association football manager and former player. He is the head coach of the French national team, having replaced Raymond Domenech in the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He was previously the manager of Bordeaux...
, and Andreas Köpke
Andreas Köpke
Andreas Köpke is a former German football goalkeeper who was in the German squad that won the 1990 FIFA World Cup, and was also part of the 1994 FIFA World Cup squad...
, and Marseille finished 11th for his return. For the 1998–99 season, the team celebrated his centenary and built a team of stars: Robert Pirès
Robert Pirès
Robert Emmanuel Pirès is a former French international footballer. He is perhaps best known for his time with Arsenal, with whom he won three FA Cups and two FA Premier League titles including the club's famous unbeaten season of 2003–04...
, Florian Maurice
Florian Maurice
Florian Maurice is a French retired footballer. He played as a striker, and most notably won the 1998 Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue with French team Paris Saint-Germain...
, and Christophe Dugarry, culminating in a second place finish in the French championship, behind Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
and an appearance in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
Final in 1999, losing to Parma
Parma F.C.
Parma Football Club , commonly referred to as just Parma, is an Italian professional football club based in Parma, Emilia–Romagna that will compete in Serie A for the 2011–12 season, having finished in twelfth position last season. Founded as Verdi Foot Ball Club in July 1913, the club changed its...
. Courbis left the team in November 1999, after a poor start to the season. The closest Marseille to get another trophy was when they reached the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
Final in 2004, impressively beating Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, Internazionale, Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, and Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
along the way. But they were beaten in the final by newly-crowned Spanish champions Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
and once again fans were forced to continue waiting for the next trophy to come along.
In 2005, Marseille succeeded in winning Intertoto Cup, beating the likes of Lazio
S.S. Lazio
Società Sportiva Lazio, commonly referred to as Lazio, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. The team, founded in 1900, play in the Serie A and have spent most of their history in the top tier of Italian football...
and Deportivo La Coruña in doing so, and earning another shot at the UEFA Cup.
In January 2007, there was negotiation between Dreyfus and Jack Kachkar
Jack Kachkar
Jack Kachkar is CEO of Inyx, Inc, a speciality in pharmaceutical company founded in 2003. In addition to focusing on investments in the healthcare industry, Jack Kachkar also currently manages his family's real estate, property development and commodity investments.Kachkar was born in Damascus,...
, a Canadian doctor and businessman (CEO of pharmaceutical company Inyx), about the selling of the club. As Jack Kachkar
Jack Kachkar
Jack Kachkar is CEO of Inyx, Inc, a speciality in pharmaceutical company founded in 2003. In addition to focusing on investments in the healthcare industry, Jack Kachkar also currently manages his family's real estate, property development and commodity investments.Kachkar was born in Damascus,...
took too much time to buy the team, Robert Louis-Dreyfus
Robert Louis-Dreyfus
Robert Louis-Dreyfus was a businessman who had major success as Chief Executive Officer of Adidas-Salomon and Saatchi & Saatchi. He was a majority shareholder of the French football team Olympique de Marseille, and during his tenure they re-emerged as a major European football club.- Early life...
decided on 22 March 2007 not to sell to the Canadian businessman.
Another close call to glory was in the French Cup final against Sochaux
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...
in May 2007. However, they lost on penalties after a 2–2 draw after extra time, to the disappointment of everyone linked with the club, but they soon wiped all that disappointment away by qualifying for the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League group stage, after securing 2nd place with a game to go.
In the Champions League, Marseille became the first French team to win at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
when they beat 2007 runners-up Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
1–0, and the team took 6 out of 6 points from their opening two games. They only drew one more match, and in a winner-takes-all final group game they lost 4–0 to Liverpool, who became the first English team to win at the Stade Vélodrome. Marseille, coming third in the Champions League Group A, then joined the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
.
Marseille finished the 2008–09 season with a second place finish in Ligue 1, following a tight race with Girondins de Bordeaux for the title. This earned them a direct entry into the group stages of the UEFA Champions League, their third consecutive season in the competition. Marseille won the 2010 Coupe de la Ligue Final
2010 Coupe de la Ligue Final
The 2010 Coupe de la Ligue Final was the 16th final of France's football league cup competition, the Coupe de la Ligue, a football competition for the 46 teams that the Ligue de Football Professionnel manages. The final took place on 27 March 2010 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis...
beating Bordeaux 3–1 at the Stade de France
Stade de France
The Stade de France is the national stadium of France, situated just north of Paris in the commune of Saint-Denis. It has an all-seater capacity of 80,000, making it the fifth largest stadium in Europe, and is used by both the France national football team and French rugby union team for...
in March 2010. This was their first major title since their Champions League triumph 17 years previously. Two months later, Marseille won their first league championship
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
for 18 years with two games to spare after beating Rennes 3–1.
Marseille defeated PSG on penalties to win the 2010 Trophée des Champions
Trophée des champions
The Trophée des champions , is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super Cups found in many countries...
at Stade 7 Novembre in Rades
Radès
Radès is a harbour city in Ben Arous Governorate, Tunisia. Situated 9 kilometres south-east of the capital Tunis, some consider it a Tunis suburb, and parts of the harbour installations of Tunis are located in Radès....
, Tunisia before the season began. Marseille then became the first team to win back-to-back Coupe de la Ligue
Coupe de la Ligue
The Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel...
successes when they won the 2011
2011 Coupe de la Ligue Final
The 2011 Coupe de la Ligue Final was the 17th final of France's football league cup competition, the Coupe de la Ligue, a football competition for the 44 teams that the Ligue de Football Professionnel manages. The final took place on 23 April 2011 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis and was...
edition by beating Montpellier HSC
Montpellier HSC
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club is a French association football club based in the city of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1919 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Montpellier plays its home matches at the Stade de la Mosson, located within the city...
1–0 on 23 April. Before that, they qualified for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since their historic success, but lost unluckily 2–1 at Old Trafford to Manchester United and also set a Champions League record by thrashing MSK Zilina
MŠK Žilina
MŠK Žilina is a Slovak football club, based in the town of Žilina. They play in the Slovak Superliga and are one of the most successful clubs in this competition, having won five championships since the league's inception in 1993. The club and their supporters alike are nicknamed Šošoni...
7–0 in what was the biggest away win in the competition's history.
In 2011, Marseille lost the Ligue 1 championship title but qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the fifth time in a row, a club record. On 27 July 2011, Marseille successfully won the 2011 Trophée des Champions
2011 Trophée des Champions
The 2011 Trophée des champions was the 16th edition of the French supercup. The match was to be contested by the winners of Ligue 1 the previous season, Lille, and the defending Coupe de France champions. However, due to Lille also winning the Coupe de France the previous season, the club faced...
title by beating LOSC Lille Métropole 5–4 at Stade de Tanger
Stade de Tanger
Stade de Tanger, also known as the Stade Ibn Battouta, is a multi-use stadium in Tanger, Morocco. Once completed in 2011, it will be used mostly for football matches. The stadium has a capacity of 45,000 people...
in Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
. The result was significant as OM were 3–1 down with 5 minutes to go, only to embark on a remarkable comeback which saw 5 goals scored in the last five minutes with Andre Ayew
André Ayew
André Morgan Rami Ayew is a Ghanaian football player who currently plays for French club Marseille in Ligue 1. He is often referred to as simply Dédé. Ayew plays as a winger, but can play as a striker...
scoring a hat-trick.
Le Classique
PSG-OM or OM-PSG, often referred to as Le Classique (The Classic) is a football match that is contested between French clubs Paris Saint-GermainParis Saint-Germain FC
Paris Saint-Germain Football Club , also known simply as Paris Saint-Germain and familiarly as Paris SG or PSG , is a professional association football club based in Paris, France. The club was founded on 12 August 1970, thanks to the merger of Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain...
and Olympique de Marseille. The term Classique is modeled on the El Clásico
El Clásico
El Clásico , also known as El derbi Español, is the name given in football to a match between Real Madrid and Barcelona. It is contested twice a year in the Spanish La Liga competition, and more often if the clubs meet in other competitions...
, which is contested between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Like all the game's major rivalries, the antipathy between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille extends outside the pitch. The so-called French clásico has a historical, cultural and social importance that makes it more than just a football game, pitching capital against province and "Provence
Provence
Provence ; Provençal: Provença in classical norm or Prouvènço in Mistralian norm) is a region of south eastern France on the Mediterranean adjacent to Italy. It is part of the administrative région of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur...
" and the chosen ones of French football against its enfants terribles (terrible children). With PSG being located in the north in the French capital and Marseille located along the Mediterranean coast, the rivalry is often referred to as "the North versus the South."
PSG and Marseille are the only French clubs to have won European trophies, having won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
in 1996 and the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
in 1993 respectively, and were the two dominant forces before the emergence of Lyon
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
at the beginning of the 21st century. However, despite their recent ups and downs, PSG and l'OM remain, along with Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
, the French clubs with the most faithful and passionate fan base, giving the country's biggest match a special atmosphere.
Stadium
From 1904 to 1937, Marseille played at the Stade de l'HuveauneStade de l'Huveaune
Stade de l'Huveaune was a multi-purpose stadium in Marseille, France. It was used mostly for football matches and was the home ground for Olympique de Marseille from 1904 to 1937. The stadium had an eventual capacity of around 15,000 spectators, and the club moved to Stade Vélodrome in...
. The club was the owner of the venue, contrary to its current stadium. L'Huveaune, a time named "Stade Fernand Buisson" in honour of a former rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
player
of the club who became deputee was renovated at the beginning of the twenties, thanks to supporter's financial help. It had a capacity of . After 1937, l'OM used this venue under Marcel Leclerc's presidency in order to compel the city of Marseille
Marseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
to lower the rent of Stade Vélodrome
Stade Vélodrome
The Stade Vélodrome is a football stadium in Marseille, France. It is home to the Olympique de Marseille football club of Ligue 1, and was a venue in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2007 Rugby World Cup. It is the largest club-football ground in France, with a capacity of 60,031 spectators,...
and during the renovation of Vélodrome
Stade Vélodrome
The Stade Vélodrome is a football stadium in Marseille, France. It is home to the Olympique de Marseille football club of Ligue 1, and was a venue in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2007 Rugby World Cup. It is the largest club-football ground in France, with a capacity of 60,031 spectators,...
for Euro 1984, during the 1982/83 season. The stadium again underwent redevelopment in time for the 1998 World Cup
1998 World Cup
1998 World Cup may refer to:*1998 IAAF World Cup*1998 Men's Hockey World Cup*1998 Women's Hockey World Cup*1998 FIFA World Cup*1998 Alpine Skiing World Cup...
and was transformed into an immense ground composed of two Curva
Curva (stadia)
Curva is an Italian term or name for curved stands of seating located at sports stadiums, particularly in Italy; so named, originally, due to their curved or bending shape...
ends (Virage Nord and Virage Sud – North Curve and South Curve) which house the supporters groups as well as the main stand, Jean Bouin, and the imposing Ganay stand. Today, the team regularly fills their impressive home, the Stade Vélodrome, which seats 60,013.
The municipality will cover the stadium and increase its capacity to 67,000 in order to receive the Euro 2016
UEFA Euro 2016
The 2016 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as Euro 2016, will be the 15th European Championship for national football teams sanctioned by UEFA. It will be held in the summer of 2016. The host nation was announced to be France on 28 May 2010...
games.
Before the start of each home game the song Jump
Jump
Jump may refer to:* Jumping, to propel oneself rapidly upward such that momentum causes the body to become airborne* To get attacked by a group of people e.g...
by Van Halen
Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
is heard.
When a goal is scored by Marseille in their home matches the song Come with Me
Come with Me (Puff Daddy song)
"Come with Me" is a song by Puff Daddy & Jimmy Page that was featured on the soundtrack for the 1998 Godzilla film. The song recreates the 1974 Led Zeppelin song "Kashmir", with Jimmy Page's approval. Page and producer Tom Morello also supplied live guitar parts . The song also features heavy...
by Puff Daddy is played.
Badge
Club founder René Dufaure de Montmirail drew inspiration from his personal seal, which featured interlaced letters "D" and "M", to create the club's first badge. The club's motto, "Droit au but", dates from the days when the club's main sport was rugby, under the name "Football Club de Marseille". The original badge featured an ornate letter "M" superimposed over an "O", with the club motto draped across the glyph. The logo persisted for three decades, until 1935, when an art decoArt Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
shield was adopted, with a simple "M" encased within the "O". In 1972, Olympique redesigned its logo, this time preferring a complex "M" letterform. In 1986, the club re-adopted its first badge; the logo evolved slightly over the next few decades, gaining a star in 1993 to commemorate the club's UEFA Champions League trophy. To commemorate the club's 100th anniversary in 1999, a variant featuring a golden "O" and a turquoise "M" was used; a similar 110th anniversary logo was used during the 2009–2010 season.
The most recent form was revealed on 17 February 2004; the "O" and "M" are rendered as a single unit in turquoise
Turquoise
Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminium, with the chemical formula CuAl648·4. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gem and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue...
without shading or borders, and the logo is capped by the golden star and sits above the club motto, also rendered in gold.
Supporters
The atmosphere in the Stade Vélodrome is created by the dominance of OM's own supporters who are housed in the CurvaCurva (stadia)
Curva is an Italian term or name for curved stands of seating located at sports stadiums, particularly in Italy; so named, originally, due to their curved or bending shape...
style ends behind the goals.
Virage Nord-Patrice de Peretti
The North Curve is home to the Yankee Nord Marseille, Marseille Trop Puissant, Fanatics, and Dodgers supporters associations who buy up the tickets at the start of each season and sell them on to their members. The Virage Nord is situated next to the away enclosure which is protected by high fences.
In 2002, the Virage Nord was officially given the name of Patrice de Peretti (1972–2000), the late founder and leader of the supporters group Marseille Trop Puissant. In 2010, the third kit of OLympique was a tribute to MTP, with the red, yellow and green colours of Africa, symbols of this left-wing curva.
Virage Sud Chevalier de la roze
As with the Virage Nord, the South Curve is controlled by supporter's associations with the Commando Ultras
Ultras
Ultras are a type of sports fans renowned for their fanatical support and elaborate displays. They are predominantly European followers of football teams...
1984 and the South Winners dominating the central section and Amis de l'OM and Club Central des Supporteurs filling the remaining sections of the stand.
The 2007/2008 third shirt of OM was a tribute to South Winners fans which the colours are orange, as they are traditionally left winged fans.
Livorno – AEK – Marseille
There is a strong relationship between AS Livorno
A.S. Livorno Calcio
Associazione Sportiva Livorno Calcio is an Italian football club based in Livorno, Tuscany. The club was formed in 1915 and currently plays in Italian Serie B. The team's colors are dark red or maroon...
, AEK Athens, and Olympique Marseille. Marseille fans often lift banners and create choreography in support of the fellow teams.
Honours
Marseille's tally of nine French championships is second only to AS Saint-ÉtienneAS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
's total of ten. Marseille also have the record in Coupe de France
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
titles (with 10). Marseille have achieved two Championship and Cup "Doubles
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
" (in 1972 and 1989).
They are the only French club to win the UEFA Champions League, in 1993.
National titles
- Division 1Ligue 1Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
/Ligue 1Ligue 1Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
- Winners (9) : 1936–37French football Division 1 1936–37Olympique de Marseille won Division 1 season 1936/1937 of the French Association Football League with 38 points.-Participating teams:-Final table:...
, 1947–48French football Division 1 1947–48Olympique de Marseille won Division 1 season 1947/1948 of the French Association Football League with 48 points.-Changes from previous season:Teams promoted from 1946–47 French Division 2* Champions: Sochaux* Runners-up: Olympique Alès...
, 1970–71French football Division 1 1970-71Olympique de Marseille won Division 1 season 1970/1971 of the French Association Football League with 55 points.-Participating teams:-Final table:...
, 1971–72, 1988–89, 1989–90French football Division 1 1989-90Olympique de Marseille won Division 1 season 1989/1990 of the French Association Football League with 53 points.-Participating teams:-Final table:Victoire à 2 points....
, 1990–91French football Division 1 1990-91Olympique de Marseille won Division 1 season 1990/1991 of the French Association Football League with 55 points.-Participating teams:- Final table :...
, 1991–92, 2009–102009–10 Ligue 1The 2009–10 Ligue 1 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Bordeaux were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 5 June 2009, and play commenced on 8 August and ended on 15 May 2010. There were three promoted teams from Ligue 2, replacing the three teams that were relegated...
- Winners (9) : 1936–37
- Division 2Ligue 2Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
- Winners (1) : 1994–95French football Division 2 1994-95The Division 2 season 1994/1995, organised by the LFP was won by Olympique de Marseille and saw the promotions of En Avant Guingamp and FC Gueugnon, whereas Stade Briochin, AS Beauvais, CS Sedan Ardennes and Nîmes Olympique were relegated to National....
- Winners (1) : 1994–95
- Coupe de FranceCoupe de FranceThe Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
- Winners (10 – record) : 1923–24Coupe de France Final 1924The Coupe de France Final 1924 was a football match held at Stade Olympique, Colombes on April 13, 1924, that saw Olympique de Marseille defeat FC Sète 3-2 thanks to goals by Edouard Crut and Jean Boyer.-Match details:-External links:**...
, 1925–26Coupe de France Final 1926The Coupe de France Final 1926 was a football match held at Stade Olympique, Colombes on May 9, 1926, that saw Olympique de Marseille defeat AS Valentigney 4-1 thanks to goals by Jules Dewaquez , Douglas De Ruymbecke and Jean Boyer.-Match details:...
, 1926–27Coupe de France Final 1927The Coupe de France Final 1927 was a football match held at Stade Olympique, Colombes on May 6, 1927, that saw Olympique de Marseille defeat US Quevilly 3-0 thanks to goals by Raymond Durand, Maurice Galley and Jules Dewaquez.-Match details:...
, 1934–35Coupe de France Final 1935The Coupe de France Final 1935 was a football match held at Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Colombes on May 5, 1935, that saw Olympique de Marseille defeat Stade Rennais UC 3-0 thanks to goals by Charles Roviglione, Vilmos Kohut and an own goal by Jean Laurent....
, 1937–38Coupe de France Final 1938The Coupe de France Final 1938 was a football match held at Parc des Princes, Paris on May 8, 1938, that saw Olympique de Marseille defeat FC Metz 2-1 thanks to goals by Vilmos Kohut and Emmanuel Aznar.-Match details:-External links:**...
, 1942–43Coupe de France Final 1943The Coupe de France Final 1943 was a football match held at Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Colombes and Parc des Princes, Paris on May 9 and May 22, 1943, that saw Olympique de Marseille defeat Girondins ASP 4-0 in the replay thanks to goals by Emmanuel Aznar , Georges Dard and Félix...
, 1968–69Coupe de France 1968-69The Coupe de Frances results of the 1968-1969 season. Olympique de Marseille won the final played on May 18, 1969, beating Girondins de Bordeaux.-Round of 16:-Quarter-finals:-Semi-finals:First round----Second round-----Final:...
, 1971–72Coupe de France 1971-72The Coupe de France 1971-1972 was its 55th edition. It was won by Olympique de Marseille which defeated SEC Bastia in the Final.-Round of 16:-Quarter-finals:-Semi-finals:First round----Second round-----Final:-References:*...
, 1975–76Coupe de France 1975-76The Coupe de France 1975-1976 was its 59th edition. It was won by Olympique de Marseille which defeated Olympique Lyonnais in the Final.-Round of 16:-Quarter-finals:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-References:*...
, 1988–89Coupe de France 1988-89The Coupe de France 1988-1989 was its 72nd edition. It was won by Olympique de Marseille.-Round of 16:-Quarter-finals:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-References:*...
- Winners (10 – record) : 1923–24
- Coupe de la LigueCoupe de la LigueThe Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel...
- Winners (2) : 2009–102010 Coupe de la Ligue FinalThe 2010 Coupe de la Ligue Final was the 16th final of France's football league cup competition, the Coupe de la Ligue, a football competition for the 46 teams that the Ligue de Football Professionnel manages. The final took place on 27 March 2010 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis...
, 2010–112011 Coupe de la Ligue FinalThe 2011 Coupe de la Ligue Final was the 17th final of France's football league cup competition, the Coupe de la Ligue, a football competition for the 44 teams that the Ligue de Football Professionnel manages. The final took place on 23 April 2011 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis and was...
- Winners (2) : 2009–10
- Challenge des champions/Trophée des ChampionsTrophée des championsThe Trophée des champions , is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super Cups found in many countries...
- Winners (3) : 1971, 20102010 Trophée des ChampionsThe 2010 Trophée des champions was the 15th edition of the French supercup. The match was contested by the winners of Ligue 1 the previous season, Olympique de Marseille, and the winners of the Coupe de France the previous season, Paris Saint-Germain. The match was played, for the second...
, 20112011 Trophée des ChampionsThe 2011 Trophée des champions was the 16th edition of the French supercup. The match was to be contested by the winners of Ligue 1 the previous season, Lille, and the defending Coupe de France champions. However, due to Lille also winning the Coupe de France the previous season, the club faced...
- Winners (3) : 1971, 2010
- Coupe Charles DragoCoupe Charles DragoThe Coupe Charles Drago was an elimination cup competition organised by the Ligue de Football Professionnel, between clubs that are knocked out before the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France. The tournament was founded in 1953 and was discontinued after the 1965 tournament.-Finals:Key-Results by...
- Winners (1) : 1957
- Championnat de France Amateurs
- Winners (1) : 1929
- Championnat de France USFSA
- Runners-up (1) : 1919
Regional titles
- South-East DH Championship
- Winners (4) : 1927, 1929, 1930, 1931
- Runners-up (4) : 1921, 1922, 1924, 1925
- Coastline USFSA Championship
- Winners (7) : 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1919
- Runners-up (6) : 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914
International titles
- UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
- Winners (1) : 1992–931993 UEFA Champions League FinalThe 1993 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match between French club Marseille and Italian club Milan, played on 26 May 1993 at the Olympiastadion in Munich, Germany....
- Runners-up (1) : 1990–911991 European Cup FinalThe 1991 European Cup Final was a football match held at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari, Italy, on 29 May 1991, that saw Red Star Belgrade of Yugoslavia defeat Olympique Marseille of France in a penalty shootout. After normal time and extra time could not separate the two sides, the match was to be...
- Winners (1) : 1992–93
- UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
/Europa League- Runners-up (2) : 1998–991999 UEFA Cup FinalThe 1999 UEFA Cup Final a football match that took place at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, on 12 May 1999 between Parma A.C. of Italy and Olympique de Marseille of France. Parma won the match 3–0...
, 2003–042004 UEFA Cup FinalThe 2004 UEFA Cup Final was played on May 19, 2004 at Gothenburg, between Valencia CF of Spain and Olympique de Marseille of France. Valencia won the match 2-0 thanks to goals from Vicente and Mista...
- Runners-up (2) : 1998–99
- UEFA Intertoto CupUEFA Intertoto CupThe UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
- Winners (1) : 2005
Reserve titles
- Championnat de France AmateursChampionnat de France AmateursThe Championnat de France amateur, commonly referred to as simply CFA and formerly known as National 2, is a football league competition. The league serves as the fourth division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1, Ligue 2, and the Championnat National...
- Winners (1) : 2002
- South-East DH Championship
- Winners (2) : 1958, 1966
- Runners-up (1) : 1962
- Coastline USFSA Championship 3
- Winners (1) : 1910
- Coastline USFSA Championship 4
- Winners (1) : 1910
Youth titles
- Coupe GambardellaCoupe GambardellaThe Coupe Gambardella is a French football cup competition held between the under-19s of the French football clubs, organized by the French Football Federation ....
- Winners (1) : 1979
- French Under 16 championship
- Winners (3) : 1979, 2008, 2009
Current squad
As of 30 August 2011.Out on loan
Reserve Squad
Ballon d'Or
The following players have won the Ballon d'Or whilst playing for Olympique de Marseille: Jean-Pierre PapinJean-Pierre Papin
Jean-Pierre Papin is a former French professional football player who was European Footballer of the Year in 1991.Papin achieved his greatest success while playing for Olympique Marseille between 1986 and 1992...
– 1991
European Golden Shoe
The following players have won the European Golden Shoe whilst playing for Olympique de Marseille: Josip SkoblarJosip Skoblar
Josip "Joško" Skoblar is a Croatian former football player and manager. He was primarily a forward, and also capable of playing on both wings.-Club:...
(44 goals) – 1971
Other players
External links
OM.net Official club website Marseille at the French LeagueFrench League
The French League was a collaborationist French movement founded by Pierre Costantini in September 1940...
official website Olympique de Marseille at the UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
official website