The OM president does not understand that, despite warnings, the LFP decided first of all to maintain the match OM-PSG before postponing it just a few hours before the kick-off.
What do you think about the postponement of the match?
It was out of the question to appear as an opponent to the principle of precaution or to consider this decision reprehensible. We can understand that in such a situation everyone takes the decision which best replies to the necessary precautions. What I do not understand is that at mid-day yesterday, when we were worried about the situation, to such an extent that we had decided to put our players under protection, there was no problem as the LFP assured us that the match would go ahead, PSG even took their plane at 19h00. Certainly there were two declared cases, but all the necessary precautions had been put in place. There was even a communiqué put out by the Ligue.
As early as yesterday, we warned the Ligue about the risks surrounding a last minute postponement. I was confident, the match was going to go ahead and the Parisians had taken their flight.
The situation evolved as a thrid case was declared and then we started asking ourselves questions. The situation had become difficult and the risks of a pandemic considerable. The match had to be postponed and the announcement was made at 14h00. We respect the decisions taken by the Ligue, the opinions of medical experts, but the decision should have been taken on Saturday. It could have been made yesterday as the virus was clearly present in the PSG squad. It should have been made clear that there was a very big chance that the match could be canceled. Even the PSG doctor was more prudent, having seen the state of the players, notably Jérémy Clément who had been il since Wednesday. But he took the plane and after a last minute examination the infuenza A was declared and the match postponed.
This decision has sporting and non-sporting consequences …
Nobody is happy with the decision, neither the directors nor the Marseille supporters. It penalises the club and the organisers. I hope that any incidents remain under control and that the PSG supporters can leave without any problems. The party has been ruined, for a Clasico, a passionate match, a match that everyone wants to see whether it be in the stadium or on television, it’s a shame to be deprived of in such conditions. On Saturday I would have understood perfectly, on Sunday it is a lot more difficult to comprehend. I don’t suspect anyone, but somewhere along the line something went wrong. There are some very competent doctors who maybe should have been more firm in saying « careful » but yesterday, they said « it’s ok » and today, they are saying « it’s not possible ». The Ligue should have taken precautions that they did not take. I’m not throwing stones at anyone, but what a shame!
What do you have to say to those supporters who spent a lot of money to come to Marseille, or to buy tickets for the match?
Without seeking popularity, I would first of all like to apologise to the supporters. We were expecting around 60.000, the ground was going to be packed out, and tonight they are going to be deprived of a matchbecause of a decision that will be talked about for a long time. Everyone should keep a hold of their ticket, they will be valid for the rescheduled match. I have in mind all of the money spent by our supporters. For those from Marseille, it will be reasonable, but for those who have come from further afield, there is petrol, train or plane tickets and hotels to think about … Who is going to pay for all of that? This is the consequence of a decision that I would qualify as rash, late and I hope I will not have to qualify it as dangerous.
