The story of Marseille, one of France's most successful clubs, is often overshadowed by its successes on the pitch. However, there is another side to this story that has been overlooked, and it involves a team that was once considered to be one of the best in Europe but has since fallen victim to scandal.
In 2017, Marseille faced criticism for their treatment of players who had been accused of cheating during a match against Paris Saint-Germain. The club was forced to pay out a reported €40 million in compensation to players who were found guilty of corruption, which led to widespread protests from fans and social media users.
This scandal sparked a firestorm of controversy, with many calling for the club to be sanctioned by the Fédération française de football (FFP), the governing body of professional football in France. In response, Marseille decided to take legal action, seeking an injunction against the FFP.
However, the case went to court, and the FFP refused to grant an injunction. Marseille then filed a petition with the European Court of Justice, arguing that the FFP's decision to grant an injunction was arbitrary and unlawful.
Despite the setback, Marseille continued to fight back, staging several demonstrations and protests in support of the club's cause. They also called for changes to the league's rules to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.
Despite all of these efforts, Marseille's chances of winning the championship have always seemed slim. But now, with a new manager in place and a new season looming, the club may finally have what it needs to compete at the highest level of French football.
Overall, Marseille's story is a reminder of how scandals can affect even the most successful clubs in the sport. While the club may not win every game or trophy, they continue to work towards achieving success, and that is something to celebrate.