Olympique de Marseille counter-attack. The Marseille club announced that it had taken to court on Tuesday, July 21, Mohamed Ayachi Ajroudi and Mourad Boudjellal, declared candidates for the acquisition of OM, accusing them of leading “A campaign of destabilization”.
“A summons prepared by Malka et Associés (…) was issued today by bailiff “ to the Franco-Tunisian businessman, leader of the project, and to his choice for the presidency of OM, the club said in a statement.
This summons aims to engage the responsibility of Ajroudi and Boudjellal on the basis of article 1240 of the civil code for the damage caused by “An intensive campaign of massive disinformation with the clear aim of destabilizing and weakening the club”, says one on the side of OM. “No one should use OM in order to establish their personal notoriety”, insists the press release, evoking “A destructive and selfish campaign based on deceptions and lies”.
“Unprofessional and sneaky” behavior
The club carried out its “Investigations [qui] have made it possible to bring together many supporting elements ” against MM. Ajroudi and Boudjellal and “Intends to condemn the authors of this campaign of destabilization”, continues the press release.
” At no moment “, the owner of OM, the American Frank McCourt, “Has not considered selling its stake in SASP OM” to these two people, and “Contrary to what could be said in the media, neither Mr. McCourt nor anyone belonging to the McCourt group and to OM had any contact with them or their advice”, insists the club.
The club sees in “This unprofessional and sneaky behavior” a “Attack against OM” when he returns to the Champions League after seven years of absence.
McCourt and President Jacques-Henri Eyraud have “A comprehensive long-term strategic plan” for the club and therefore do not want to sell it, it is written.
Still not for sale
At the end of June, Mourad Boudjellal, successful ex-president of Rugby Club Toulonnais (a Top 14, three European Cups), and Mohamed Ajroudi had announced that they wanted to buy OM from Frank McCourt, in particular with Saudi and Emirati funds, to a project “Mediterranean”. The former Toulon leader had declared that he was carrying a deal with “Funds from the Middle East, state and private, and which come from oil, water, energy”.
According to various corroborating sources, the operation would have involved a total of 700 million euros broken down as follows: 300 million euros for the repurchase, 200 million euros for “Fill in the gaps” and 200 million euros for the transfer window.
At the beginning of July, the French investment bank Wingate was mandated by Mohamed Ajroudi to negotiate the purchase of OM. Mr. McCourt and OM have been rehearsing since they were not salesmen. “Everything is for sale and everything is for sale”, replied Mr. Ajroudi.
