The last four supporters of Olympique de Marseille (OM) still detained at Baumettes since the violent incidents of January 30 at the club’s training center, have found their freedom. Past the tumult of this “Assault” whose images were broadcast at the hearing on Wednesday, February 24, the Marseille Criminal Court chose appeasement.
He sentenced eleven of the fourteen young men – four inmates and ten free – all on trial for “Participation in a group formed with a view to committing violence and degradation” as well as, for some, damage to the La Commanderie training center or to police vehicles. A twelfth, convicted in 2019 for theft, was sentenced to three months in prison, the recourse to the suspension is no longer possible.
“I followed stupidly like a donkey”
Two others were released, including a 22-year-old Arlésian who, wishing to go shopping in Marseille, had accompanied supportive friends. The second released, director of a mini-market and subscriber to the stands of the south turn of the Velodrome Stadium since 1995, was arrested barely five minutes after the outbreak of the incidents. “It got out of hand, as I’m in love with OM, I left”, explained this member of the Ultras supporters club who came to participate in what he thought was “A peaceful assembly”.
This Saturday, January 30, while the results of the team were catastrophic and the club sank into the crisis, a call for a rally had circulated on social networks for “A big action” at the training center. The explanations of the defendants claiming to want “Initiate discussion” with the leaders and the players did not resist the images which show supporters respecting the same dress code – all in black dressed with hood – rushing on the grid and throwing a hundred smoke bombs.
At the bar of the court, all denied having gone to La Commanderie with the idea of committing violence. “I followed stupidly like a donkey”, recognized Mehdy, 25. He said he saw in this demonstration the opportunity to visit the training center to take pictures. “When I come, I am peaceful. I’m not coming to fuck off, I’m not from Marseilles, me ”, defended a fan of OM, arrived from Mâcon by Blablacar. Axel, 23, did not want “That singing songs of OM”. “I’m not going to degrade something that I like”, supported this young Varois found carrying three smoke and nine firecrackers.
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