Conference trucks::football;1

    Good to have an OM note back in the Football notes conference.
    
    OM are top of the French 1st Division, having played some great
    football. Sadly they are out of the European Cup after only 
    beating Spartak of Prague 3-2 at home, they went on to lose (if
    I remember correctly) 2-1 away. Doom and gloom, like Arsenal they
    miss out on the money spinning 'group round'.
    
    Still, they're a great team and have signed Trevor Stevens from
    Rangers at the begining of the season who has already sored one
    great volley.
    
    -Dom        

    Game played in Brass-Monkey weather, didn't look too good with
    Papin missing a couple of chances that he has converted
    in the past.
    
    OM stay on top behind them are Monaco, Caen and PSG
    
    -Dom

    Been away for a while, so I'll have to try and catch up with results.
    
    The most recent news that AC Milan have denied any interest in signing
    Papin for next season... good news for OM anyway!
    
    -Dom

    Marseille have some friendlies organised:
    
    v. Isreali selection (Jerusalem) this weekend
    v. Inter Milan at Pontet on Feb 4
    v. AC Milan at San Siro on Mar 3
    v. AC Milan at Stade Velodrome Mar 16

    14th January
    
    OM played an easy game against Jerusalam, whose defence looked like
    they'd all turned into pillars of salt, only they were less mobile!
    
    -Dom

    Scrapy looking game with OM not making good they're chances although
    they dominated the first half Nimes scored and it was 1-0 at half
    time.
    
    Second half more of the same, but this time OM scored twice with
    a typical opportunist goal from Papin who jumped on to a bad pass
    back to the goalie and then the sub No.12 (name?) got the winner,
    with a sliding shot.
    
    OM stay on top of the league...
    
    -Dom
    

    > the sub No.12 (name?)
    
    Xuereb

    On the 25th Jan lost to Toulon 1-0 in a scrappy game, a hic-up I hope
    
    -Dom

    
    Couldn't believe it ! What happened, did the first team not turn up ?
    
    
Ads

    Last night the replay of the game against St Etienne played because
    of the 'thrown bottle' incident ended in a 1-1 draw.
    
    Papin scored of course, with St E. equalisisng in the last minute
    of time.
    
    -Dom

    
    I guess I'm just going to have to get a decoder - it's too frustrating
    not being able to see properly !
    
    Anyone know how much this will cost ? And how often do they show
    football/sport - will they cover the Olympics, and the European
    Championsips ?
    
    Ads.

    Sorry don't know cost of decoder, probably will one of these days to
    stop the gnashing of teeth when the picture goes fuzzy, 30 seconds
    after kick-off.
    
    Back to OM and a 2-0 win over Toulouse and two good goals, the first from
    Papin (who England are going to have to watch very carefully) after
    the ball bounced off the bar, he volleyed it back in the goal.
    
    ...and the second by No.11 Dechamp (sp?) from a great pass with the
    outside of the right foot from Stevens....OM back on the right track
    I hope, a real shame they're out of Europe.
    
    -Dom                                           

    
    I read that Steven is likely to be on his way back to Rangers at the
    end of the season because OM can't find the remaining 2.5 million of
    the transfer fee.
    
    Not a bad deal, a one season loan for 3 million ! ....
    
    Ads.

    Should have won this game, plenty of chances and they equalised
    in the last minute.                                        
    
    Still top though.....
    
    -Dom
    

    Didn't see any highlights to this game, probably a good thing....
    ...distracted by the rugby. Still top with Monaco catching up
    though.
    
    -Dom

    A 1-0 win last week, and just holding on to the top of the league.
    Monaco have the Cup-Winners-Cup to worry about, hopefully they'll get
    distracted and let OM win the league.
    
    Still plenty of rumours on Stevens leaving and Tapi signing
    a 'Big' name.....
    
    -Dom

    Looking a bit like the English 1st division with two teams neck and
    neck. Come to think of it's a bit like the English General Election,
    only more people care about the result.
    
    A great goal from I think Boli in this game....OM hanging on in there
    for the title.
    
    -Dom

    
    This weekend, largely thanks to Chris Waddle, who was excellent,
    creating the first two goals before being chopped and having to leave
    the field, Marseille overcame Monaco 3-0 to clinch the championship.
    
    Next year may be a different story, with at least five first team
    players on their way, among them, Papin. Has he said where he's going
    yet ? And is Tapie letting Waddle go too ?
    
    Adam.

    So who's arriving ???

    According to Gazzetto della wotsit, Klinsman is considering either
    Marseille or Paris St Germain.  Rodriguez,the Argentine player, who has
    signed with Marseille but is on loan to Toulon has, er, now moved to
    Atalanta. Confused? You will be...  Boban, signed by Milan but on loan
    to Bari has hepatitis and so will probably not now move to Marseille,
    or even Toulon. Meanwhile, Monaco are in the cup-final after beating Cannes
    5-3 on penalties.They'll meet Bastia or Marseille.
    

    
    	Before the final of the cup (if they reach it), Marseilles is 
    rather reluctant to disclose any info about their hiring actions.
    The only (unknown outside France) is Eydelie (-21 france team) from
    Nantes.
    
    PYV 

Read on CEEFAX that according to his manager, there is an 80% chance that
Diego Maradona will be signing for OM.

Is there any truth in this ??

Has he repented & paid for his behaviour over the last 4 years. If he does join,
I just hope he gets his act together and only makes the headlines with what he
does on the pitch.

Al

    How long is/was his suspension? Or is it one of those "banned for
    life, but eligible to apply for reinstatement" type deals? 
    
    A while ago the rumour was he'd end up playing in the USA of Japan,
    neither of which is a FIFA-sanctionedl league.
    
    Tom

    
    Are any of you Marseille supporters coming to Glasgow for the
    forthcoming friendly against The Bears? ;>)
    
    Maybe we could arrange to meet before the game for a small swally. ;*)  
    

	Something new in here at long last....
	
	Martin Vasquez has left Marseille for Real Madrid.
	He came 3 months ago from Torino.

	He signed a 3 years contract for a fee of about 30 Millions
	Francs....
	
							.Andre.

    The French national U-21 coach, Marc Bourrier is the new coach at Olympique
    Marseille. 

    Any big changes in the team ?
    
    Thierry

	New faces at "Velodrome":
	  Daniel Dutuel and William Prunier (both from Auxerre)
	  Gilles Rousset (from Lyon) as second goalie, Barthez still number 1

	Abedi Pele's situation not settled yet, he may stay or leave!!!
		
	Amoros has signed for Cannes, Sauzee goes to Bergame (Italy)
	
	That's all I heard of recently...
	
								.Andre.

    
    What is this I read in one of the sunday tabloids that Marseille are to
    possibly lose the crown of European Champs, after alleged illegal
    payments to another team.
    
    Seemingly 6 days before the Euro Cup final against Milan, Mars had to
    play a league game. Not wanting to tire/injure key players it seems
    marseille payed ???? to make it an easy game. Maybe someone could
    ellaborate(sp?) more..
    
    Anyway it seems that Marseille may lose their European crown and also
    be relegated to the second division.????
    
    tut tut :-)
    
    mac

    If Marseille are penalised then I think the final should be replayed,
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    between Rangers and Milan.

    
    The Marseilles "affair" is taking an enormous dimension in France.
    
    - The Valenciennes player Christophe Robert has admitted to heve been 
      given money to simulate an injury during the match. His wife is said
      to have gone to the Marseilles's hotel to take the money.
    - Jorge Burruchaga is also suspected to have got money.
      He is expected (he is in holidays in Argentina) by the justice to 
      answers 'some' questions.
    - Jacques Eydelie, Marseilles's player, while denying to have participated
      in anything, is highly suspected ..and has been put in jail.
    - Jean-Pierre Bernes, the Tapie's right arm, the Marseille's general 
      manager, in now under the fire. He is presently in an Hospital for
      an allegged depression.
    - It will be interesting to see how Tapie will manage this...
    
      On the sport side, nothing have been decided yet. But, we can 
      guess:
    - All the players/managers involved will be banned (for life ?)
    - Marseilles will loose the French league title (Paris will have it
      then ? Paris will play the Eur cup ?)
    - This seems not to be correlated with the Eur champions cup. In other
      terms, I can see Marseilles play for the Eur. cup while in D2, except 
      if UEFA ban Marseilles 
    - Valenciennes is now asking the league to ge re-integrated in D1...in
      place of Marseilles.
      
    Whaou !!!!
      
    Pierre-Yves  

    UEFA are now involved as accordding to their coach, CSKA Moscow were 
    approached before their European matches. 
    
    L'Equipe on monday listed seven other occassions when accusations have 
    been made against Marseille, and Jean-Pierre Bernes in particular. 
    
    It looks as if Marseille will continue in Div 1 this season as the
    league starts on July 24, but who knows. Each day more worms crawl from
    the can...

    French + italian + german soccer - dontcha just love 'em.
    
    It seems not only do the players roll around on the ground appearing
    dead after a simple (in English terms) challenge but that this
    corruption appears to have invested european soccer to the highest
    degree.
    
    
    I remember Pele on the football fanzine programme on BBC2 saying one of
    the best things in soccer was the way the english players approached a
    game ir - no Klinnsman Dives or no rolling around trying to appear
    mortally wounded after someone scratched a hair on your ankle - oh for
    that attitude to be taken up by the other europeans .....
    
    
    
    
    dw.f

    The FFF have confirmed that OM will take part in this seasons 1st
    division. Their "individuals being responsible, not the club" attitude
    means that it will be 94/95 season before action, if any, is taken
    against the club. Tapie has now been accused of trying to bribe
    Primorac, the ex-Valenciennes manager. 
    
    The first full legal hearings are tomorrow.
    
    CSKA have withdrawn their accusations, so UEFA are not involved. OM
    will be in EC1.
    
    On the playing side, Angloma is out for a couple of months, and they
    have bought Fugier from Lyon as cover. Boksic has agreed terms with
    Lazio, but for the 94/95 season. 

    
    Some news:
    
    J.P. Bernes, the Marseille's General Mgr is now jailed in Valenciennes,
    accused of 'active corruption'.
    Bernard Tapie has also been 'listened' by the judge.
    
    The French Championship will start the 24 th of July WITH Olympique de 
    Marseille. The League President has clearly expressed that if there 
    is any sanction to take, it will be the next season, unless a blatant
    corruption proof is brought before July the 24th, which is very
    unlikely.
    
    The participants of the Eur cups have been published these days, with
    OM. Apparently, UEFA did not see any link between the OM-Valenciennes
    and the European tournament. 
    
    PYV
    

    Just to carry on from the Borussia note...
    
    OM have Voeller, Boksic, Futre and Stojkovic as their four foreigners.
    Pele has moved to Lyon, along with Olmetta and Amoros. 
    
    Regarding Stojkovic, he had a knee operation in January and is now in
    full training. He played in a friendly v. Toulouse yesterday. 
    OM and Lens agreed terms for him to go north for a season, but he
    didn't wantthe move. OM play Servette Geneva on wednesday with Futre and
    Stojkovic in the line-up.
    
    New season starts 23 with Nantes v Monaco, live on Canal+

>    Regarding Stojkovic,
	You sure about Stojkovic??? Where does that leave Igor Dobrovolski?

								.Andre.

>    On the corruption front, the French FA hinted that Marseille could be
>    banned from Europe but I don't understand on which ground they based
>    that decision or even if the decision is final or what. Shambles to me.
    
The two Polish teams who were punished by their League were prevented from 
playing in Europe, so if the French FA take the title away from Marseille, 
then I believe PSG will take their place, Nantes would move into the 
Cup-Winners and St Etienne into the UEFA - simple isn't it?!

g

    Bernes stuck to his story yesterday in a 6 hour meeting with the
    magistrate and the other players involved in the scandal.
    
    Tapie still reckons its a 'Sting' against him all because of his
    Politics.....
    
    -Dom

    Bernes was released on Thursday, complete denial of everything....
    ....somebody is telling big 'fibs'!
    
    OM play first game of the season today..
    
    -Dom

    Saturday - OM beat Lens 1-0 with a goal from Boli who went on to
    dedicate it to Bernes. Pele has goe to Lyons and OM have kept 
    Voller!
    
    Sunday - Bernes announces his resignation, was he pushed or did he
    jump
    
    -Dom

    TF1 are also shareholders in Olympic Marseille.

    
    JF,
    	Now that I can pick up TF1 and TF2 on the Satellite, what times are
    the Football shows scheduled or/and do they broadcast live league games
    ??
    
    Cheers,
    
    Dezzz.

    League games are on the coded channel, Canal+, although France 2 will be 
    showing 2nd division games live on some saturday afternoons. International
    matches are (mostly) on TF1 (this week it's France v Russia on wednesday).
    Second division matches and cup games are also shown on the French
    Eurosport. 
    
    As for live league games, Canal+ will be showing one a week throughout
    the season. 1st August it's Cannes v Marseille; 6 Aug, Lille v Lens.
    See the Monaco topic for more.

    
    Thanks chaps...though I'm a bit doubtful about the Saturday afternoon
    program!!!!!
    
    This Canal+ is showing more and more unencoded...not sure abut the
    Footy...
    
    Cheers,
    
    Dezzz

    Looks like UEFA are putting on the pressure on the FFA to make some
    decision on if OM are guilty of wrong doing, and if so they will be
    banned from the Euro Cup.
    
    -Dom

    ...yesterday they were banned from the Euro Cup by UEFA in Zurich.
    
    What did they expect, Tapi needs to resign...
    
    -Dom

>They gave the French FA one week to designate a replacement for Marseille.
	Not a week, the replacement need to be named by tomorrow 17:00
	
								.Andre.

    JF,
       You have a point, but the Fact is that there is clearly 'something
    rotten in the woodwork' as far as OM and the Valencienne incident
    goes. The 'non-action' of the FFF looks too much like a cop-out.
    
    This should at least force the issue - and a trial.
    
    -Dom

It looks as if no-one's going to come out of this very well. UEFA ASSUME that 
OM will eventually be found guilty. So they throw them out now (without the 
case being proved) because it would be too complicated to throw them out 
later. This isn't natural justice. OM should be allowed to fight their corner 
- and then be thrown out!

g

    Dont forget that Eydelie an OM player has admitted to attempted
    bribary, plus he implicated Bernes in this, who of course denied
    all knowledge.
    
    OM have been banned for bringing the game in to disripute by UEFA.
    
    -Dom

    I certainly suspect something happened BUT UEFA should wait for the
    courts before condeming Marseille.
    
    I agree about the disrepute charge but that should have been levelled
    at the French FA for taking the long route. Based on this UEFA should
    have debarred France from having an entrant in this years Champions
    Cup.
    
    Denis
    
    ps they should also now make Rangers 3rd seeds inplace of Marseille >*!

    
    -1    Some Marseille fans over there sustain that there is some
          room (unlikely in my opinion) for a 'plot' against OM, more
          exactly against Tapie (who is as you know also a industry mgr
          and a politician).
          They claim that the Valenciennes players could have been 
          contacted by Eydelie on behalf of somebody attempting to 
          involve Marseille in such a party.
    
          I think it is unlikely, but not absolutely impossible, as bribing
          Valenciennes was not really worthy...
    
          Wait and see..
       
          PYV    
          

    
    	The team which will replace Marseille in C1 has just been 
        announced:
    
    
    			AS Monaco 
    
        PYV
    

    
    	Why Monaco ?

    Probably 'cause PSG said no and Monaco were next on the list...
    
    ...and they said Yes, Auxerre further down the list would have 
    said yes too...
    
    -Dom

    
    ...if UEFA were 'punishing' the French association by kicking out
    Marseilles?

  Hadn't Monaco qualified for the UEFA cup???? does this mean that Auxerre will
take Monacos place?????
                                                                -dave-

>  Hadn't Monaco qualified for the UEFA cup????
	Yes, they were drawn against Teneriffe (Spain)

> does this mean that Auxerre will take Monacos place?????
	Exactly, now Auxerre will play Teneriffe for the UEFA cup

							.Andre.

  Iam happy for Auxerre... For those people who don't know Auxerre is a tiny
town, and the people there are very friendly and enjoy their footie. I believe
their stadium holds less than 20,000 is this correct????

                                                                    -dave-

    There was some talk yesterday on French and Swiss TV that part
    of the reason that PSG turned down the Euro Cup was to do with
    TV sponsor and coverage deals.....!
    
    -Dom

    
    Their explanations:
    
    1. Auxerre could not represent France in c1, cause they only finished
       6th at the last championship
    2. Paris S.G. were qualified for the winners cup and intended to play
       in this competition
    3. Monaco has been "obliged" to accept, cause this will allow a place 
       to Auxerre in C3.
    
       What I think:
    
    1. Paris SG could not take this place because they are considered by
       the Marseille's fans as the old ennemy, and the league would not
       have to assume the forthcoming troubles. Policemen has been assigned
       to protect the PSG premises as well as the training fields, as the 
       staff received threatening letters and phone calls... 
    2. On the other hand, the PSG fans (some of them at least) are known
       to be the bad guys of the French supporters...
    3. Monaco has a very good press vis-a-vis the international entities.
    
       Allez Monaco !
      
    
     

Re last....

    2. On the other hand, the PSG fans (some of them at least) are known
       to be the bad guys of the French supporters...

 After seeing those fans in action a couple of weeks ago I reckon a lot of them
should be locked up.......

                                                                      -dave-

I read on teletext this lunch time that FIFA had threatened:

	a) that Marseille could face a ban in future Euro Cups if they don't
drop their appeal

	b) The French could receive an international ban if the the French F.A.
don't deal with the Marseille situation.

Comments!!

Al

    
    >	b) The French could receive an international ban if the the French F.A.
    > don't deal with the Marseille situation.
    
    Why not?  A certain UK club got banned (admittedly for a serious
    incident) when the opposition 'fans' were equally (if not more) to
    blame.   These are my wife's (non football fan) opinions, not mine, she
    saw it, I didn't.
    
    Since when has EUFA, FIFA, 'country' F.A. handled incidents in a calm,
    fair manner?
    
    
    

    Yeah well its turning into an even greater farce now with OM getting
    a Bern Court to over rule the UEFA decision because its against
    Swiss law (and most other countries) to have a ruling like this taken
    without the accused unable to defend themselves etc etc.
    
    So in theory OM can play thier first game, UEFA have 10 days to appeal,
    there is another meeting in Zurich, and their is a real possibilty
    that the French National team could get banned too....
    
    ....this is certinaly putting the game in disripute, and Tapies offices
    were raided by the police yesterday afternoon......!
    
    -Dom

    
    	It 's amazing to imagine what they could decide now on:
    
    - Tapie and OM have already announced to their supporters that they 
      will play versus Athens next wednesday
    - UEFA is claiming that by invoking a Court, OM broke the UEFA rules
      and is now out of UEFA
    - A decision will certainly be taken by UEFA next Monday at the latest
      and perhaps today at the Zurich meeting with Havelange, Johansson, 
      Fournet-Fayard and...Tapie.
    - What will happen if they maintain the ban ?
    - Who will play versus whom is the ban is de facto suspended ?
    - Is there any sense to suspend the French FA ?
    
      Waohh ! 
      There is a point anyway: is it normal that a small set of old
    UEFA/FIFA guys have an absolute power on all the football people, this
    power being above the laws ?
    
    PYV
      
      

    
    RE : last
    
    >   There is a point anyway: is it normal that a small set of old
    > UEFA/FIFA guys have an absolute power on all the football people, this
    > power being above the laws ?
    
    I don't know the bit about being above the law, but, it is certainly
    within the power of soccer's ruling bodies to act against a club
    without any of the clubs representatives present.  I think its all
    written in the rules of association, and by signing up to play in
    league or cup games, you agree to abide by ALL the rules (however
    stupid) of the governing body.
    
    I know I fell foul of this sort of thing on a few occassions as a very
    (very) minor club manager - affilliated to the English FA.
    
    Ian
    

    Unconfirmed news: Tapie has withdrawn his suit against UEFA, apparently
    under The French League Association's pressure [to avoid a general ban
    on French clubs]. I'm sure he got compensation for that [money?].
    
    News courtesy of Robert Diquattro.
    
     ??JF?

    re: .81
    
    >Why not?  A certain UK club got banned (admittedly for a serious
    >incident) when the opposition 'fans' were equally (if not more) to
    >blame.   These are my wife's (non football fan) opinions, not mine, she
    >saw it, I didn't.
    
    Hmmm, if you're talking about Liverpool (and I presume you are), I
    think you're on rather shakey ground there. I wasn't at the game, but
    I've spoken to people who were (Italians) and while they don't deny
    that the Juventus hooligan element played its part in the proceedings,
    they are adamant that most of the guilt lies with the Liverpool fans,
    together with the security forces and the sub-standard stadium.
    
    As an aside, a dentist in the town where I live lost a brother that
    day. I don't wish to joke about the issue, but that's one dentist I
    shall not be going to for a tooth extraction...
    
    Dom 

    
    Returning to the subject of Marseille:
    
    While it would appear that the club are guilty of *something*, I can't
    help feeling that it would be nice to see someone put one over on
    UEFA, a toffee-nosed, arrogant and inflexible establishment if ever there 
    was one.
    
    Secondly, I'm somewhat perplexed at all those who seem to be alleging
    that French football has always had a rather shady reputation. Not only
    am I at a loss to recall even one case of French "misbehaviour" (for
    want of a better word) at international level, but I find it somewhat
    strange that French clubs have only won a single European trophy to
    date. Given that they regularly produce excellent players, it rather 
    suggests that they, like the Russians, lack friends in high places in 
    international football.
    
    An example that immediately comes to mind is the '75 European Cup Final
    between St. Etienne and Bayern Munich (0-1). A case of daylight (well,
    twilight!) robbery if ever there was one.
    
    Dom  

    
    I find it quite amazing that UEFA have the power/right to ban Marseille
    from the Europena Cup. Surely it should be up to the French FA, as the
    supposed match rigging happened in a league match ?
    If the French FA won't do anything to punish Marseille, then they
    aren't doing their jobs right, and it should be THEM that's punished !
    
    UEFA have got it wrong on numerous occassions, and I agree with the 
    previous noter that they are a toffee nosed, arrogant bunch etc.
    
    My feelings for them are nothing but contempt after the way they
    handled an 80's UEFA Cup tie between Celtic & Rapid Vienna.
    Rapid won 3-1 at home in the 1st leg, but lost 3-0 at Glasgow in the
    return.
    A Rapid player feigned injury, claiming he had been struck on the head
    with a bottle, and the Austrians at one stage left the pitch
    threatening to postpone the game. They eventually played on, and Celtic
    went through 4-3 on aggregate, or so we thought. 
    Rapid then protested to UEFA that one of their players was hit by a 
    bottle, and they wanted the game replayed. UEFA fined them, and threw 
    out their case for their part in the melee.
    The Austrians then changed their story to that of the player being
    struck by a coin. UEFA in their wisdom then saw fit to double the
    Austrian ban, fine Celtic, and then made both teams contest the 2nd 
    leg again at Old Trafford, Manchester...with the score standing at 3-1 
    to Rapid from the 1st leg !!!
    
    Any committe/body who can make such a turnaround like that, aren't
    capable of running a jumble sale !
    
    Leave it to the French FA......no matter how long it takes !
    
    

    	A supervising body,like UEFA,is needed in cases like this in order
    to attempt to gain consistency in decision making.I agree that some of 
    UEFA's decisions are bizarre to say the least,but this is the fault
    of the responsible committees (i.e. officials) rather than the system
    itself.
        Remember the situation in Rumania a few years back,where corruption in
    football went all the way up to government level.Bearing this in mind
    the idea of corruption amongst individual football associations
    doesn't seem too unlikely.In other words there could be a situation
    where some clubs could do as they pleased,then rely on their FA to bail
    them out.
    	In this case the French associations hands seem to have been tied
    by French law,UEFA being outwith the jurisdiction of such laws were 
    able to take the necessary action.Hopefully this will limit the damage
    to French and European football.Last seasons European cup has been
    more or less invalidated,we really can't afford to have this showpiece
    competition tarnished again.
    	There is of course the question of Marseilles guilt or innocence to
    be considered.This seems to have become a secondary consideration
    overshadowed by the implications of having the integrity of the game
    questioned.All the signs are that some dodgy dealings have been going
    on,but having witnessed their superb display against Rangers at Ibrox
    last year,I can't help but wonder why?    

    
    Is it true that Marseille have been stripped of their league title?
    
    Tim

    What?
    
    JF

    
    Apparently PLUNDR::LOWEG heard this on BBC Radio 1 at Lunch-time.

	PARIS (UPI) -- European Cup holder Olympique Marseille, already
disgraced in Europe, was stripped of its French soccer league title here
on Wednesday in the wake of an alleged bribes scandal which has rocked
world football.
	And the French Football Federation (FFF) also banned three players
and former Marseille general manager Jean Pierre Bernes for their part
in the affair.
	The moves were immediately welcomed by world governing body FIFA, who
had put the pressure on the French soccer authorites to act by first
banning the club from this year's European Cup showpiece and then
threatening to ban France from the World Cup.
	But controversial club president Bernard Tapie escaped the backlash --
for the moment at least.
	Marseille's players and officials reluctantly accepted the ban --
although the allegations have yet to be proved in court -- and vowed to
fight back.
	Marseille captain Didier Deschamps hit back: ``The best way to
respond will be to win the championship this year.''
	Bernes, who hinted on Tuesday he was considering suicide because of
the pressure, stands accused of using Marseille star Jean-Jacques
Eydelie as a go-between to bribe Valenciennes players Christophe Robert
and Jorge Burruchaga to throw a crucial league match on May 20.
	Marseille went on to win the match 1-0 and the title, its fifth in a
row, before beating AC Milan in the European Cup final.
	Eydelie, Robert and Argentinian Burruchaga all admitted their role in
the affair and were suspended until further notice. FIFA immediately
made the ban worldwide, meaning none of them will be able to continue
playing professional football.
	Bernes, who has always denied the bribery allegations and who is
still undergoing psychiatric treatment following the scandal, will also
not be able to work in football management.
	But Valenciennes player Jacques Glassmann, who blew the whistle on
the alleged bribery offer, was cleared by the FFF -- as was Tapie, who
had been accused in turn of trying to pay the former Valenciennes coach
Boro Primorac to take the blame for the affair.
	Ongoing police investigations into the affair, however, mean the
charges could still be amended or even thrown out of court, leading to a
possible review of the FFF decisions.
	The sanctions were seen as crucial, however, after FIFA president
Joao Havelange had set a September 24 deadline for action.
	FIFA and UEFA, the European governing body, had forced the issue by
throwing Marseille out of this season's European Cup, arguing there was
already enough incriminating evidence and that they were not willing to
wait for lengthy legal investigations in France.
	Havelange said on Wednesday: ``I congratulate the French Federation
for not only having taken sanctions against the players, but also
against top officials implicated in this affair. We will have to see
what happens.''
	Jean-Louis Levreau, Marseille vice-president, said: ``I feel sorry
for the players who, for the moment, have been deprived of a title which
they won on the pitch.''
	But he was pleased the club had not been docked any points or even
relegated into a lower division as a punishment.
	Marseille defender Basile Boli, who headed the only goal in the
European Cup final, the first European trophy by any French club, added:
``We expected these sanctions but it is still a blow.''

I take it that Marseille have handed back the European Cup. But does anyone know
if they have given back the players medals...??

Just a thought..!

Tony

Tony,

It's only the French league they've been stripped of not the European Cup

I think

Al

    
    In order to recover after the financial disaster of the ban (about 
    100 MF), Marseille is selling out its players capital.
    
    After the Boksic departure to Lazio, two other departures has been 
    registered this week-end:
    
    - Marcel Desailly to A.C Milan (around $ 8 M)
    - Paolo Futre to Reggiana (?)
    
    However, they hired another centre forward until the end of the season:
    
    - Anderson from Servette Geneve.
    
    BTW, Marseille was defeated by Lyon 1-0 last wednesday
    
    PYV

    
    
    In the midst of the World cup frenzy, I have lost sight of what is
    happening on the home front? 
    
    What is the final fate of l'OM ?Is anybody left? Are they definitively in
    division 2 ? My most recent issue of France-Foot lend me to think that
    they might not even be able to do that....By the way , it might be just
    a personal impression but I have the feeling that FF has done
    everything they can to "harass" l'OM ? Tapie, who appears to be their
    real target, might be a real creep, but I am sometimes amazed by their
    coverage of Marseill's problems. It looks like they will stop at
    nothing to build the case against l'OM. They look more and more like a
    tabloid to me. I have considered getting rid of my subscription but I
    haven't had the guts to do so....
    
    Jacques

    PYV,
    
    thanks... like always you are right on the money (no pun intended with
    Marseille's financial problems).
    
    Jacques

    
    Jacques,
    
    I am not a Marseille's fan. (to be frank, I don't really like them,
    being an OGC Nice fan).
    
    However, I am interested by the financial 'background', not very clear
    of football.
    
    PYV
    
    P.S. The league announced that, despite the payment delays and the 
         players sales, l'OM is still missing 130 MF to be in the right
         track.

    the warehouse sale at Marseille (as far as I know)
    
    Boli       		---> Lazio Roma, Tottenham, Rangers ???
    Deschamps 		---> Juventus Turin
    Prunier, Dutuel     ---> back to Auxerre to cancel debt
    Voller		---> retires
    Angloma		---> Torino
    Andersson		---> Servette Geneve, Paris SG ???
    
    	Eric

    How many games and how many goals has Tony Cascarino got for Marseilles so
far.



   C U N N O

    >> How many games and how many goals has Tony Cascarino got for Marseilles 
    >> so far.
    
    League: 5 games, 5 goals 
    Friendly vs Juventus Tuesday: 2 goals
    (Then again, let's not forget that league is only French D2, ie. equivalent
    to English Div1...)

    Eric

    
    League : 6 games - 7 goals.

    
        Re.
    
        >> and Marseille are now top of their League.
    
    
    	I wouldn't imagine any other position than the top.
        If Marseille can't finish first this year, that would mean
        a disaster for them.
    
         Ph./

    
    re 106
    
    	>> I wouldn't imagine any other position than the top.
        >> If Marseille can't finish first this year, that would mean
        >> a disaster for them.
    
    	I think top 3 teams go to div1, no matter if they finished first,
    	seond or third...
    
    Eric

    
    UEFA first round:
     
    Olympiakos		1-2	Marseille
    
    Unfortunately, i had to watch it in a pub that doesn't have a decoder, 
    but it was good nonetheless.
    
    Marseille scored its 2nd by Marquet (I think, 'cause it was written in
    greek) despite being down to 10 men; (Durand redcarded).
    
    Barthez saved the day several times after that.
    
    Other french result:
    
    	Bordeaux  3-1	Lillestroem
    	Volvograd 3-2   Nantes
    	Cannes    4-0   Fenherbace
    
    Eric

    
    Eric,
    
    I did not expect "l'OM sera toujours l'OM" from a PSG fan.
    Good fair play !
    
    Question: how could you watch the game without a decoder ?
              On my TV, I cannot see anything tangible without decoder.
    
    PYV

    
>    Question: how could you watch the game without a decoder ?
>             On my TV, I cannot see anything tangible without decoder.
	Do you remember ever watching Canal+ without decoder up to a few
	months ago? It was just about usable... But Canal+ has decided to
	go after the "$$$pirate decoder market" and changed the scrambling.
	This had two immediate effects, and one side-effect:
		- all non-official decoders stopped working
    		- without a decoder you now see zero
		- if you want to see something, go and apply/pay for the
		  real thing
	
	Obviously the change will be implemented in phases. We were hit
	a couple of months ago, I think Paris and thereabouts are being
	switched over in the next few days/weeks so their unfair bonus
	will disappear...
	
								.Andre.

    
    Well personally I think it's an insult to the French people encoding
    these European Games....Germany and Italy show ALL of their clubs games
    in the clear as they make mega bucks from the advertising....mind you
    these two countries show ALL their international matches live on the
    terrestrial channels no matter the opposition....ehemmm unlike SKY
    which encodes every game.....
    
    Dezzz.

    
    I fully agree.
    That's why I don't want to subsscribe for Canal +, by principle.
    
    Before the existence of this channel, we had the matches in clear, and
    now we have to pay for...
    
    No, I don't want to accept this system.
    
    PYV

re: This weekend's game
 
	Marseille beat Dunkerque 5-1 this Saturday. Back into 1st place.
	Cascarino scored a triple, but it's a double as far as I'm concerned
	unless he somehow switched his uniform number from 9 to 11 during the
	game.

re: Pierre-Yves' note.

	I honestly think that, when it comes to EuroCup prestige/excitement
	nobody else in France is close to Marseille. Maybe St Etienne when
	(If they ever ???) play some Euro Cup again.
	
	Teams like Nantes, Bordeaux or PSG don't even deserve to be mentioned
	in this context

re: Canal + 

	Good news as Game 2 vs Olympiakos will be on TF1. Canal+ and TF1 have
	apparently agreed to share Marseille's EuroCup games on a 1/1 basis.

Re: Steve's note

>>    However, if you don't subscribe to Canal+ you still have to watch the 
>>    grubby films in 'wobble-vision' ;-).

	Give me a ring and I'll tape them 4 U.  =8^) =8^)

		Eric
    

    
    Thanks for the offer Eric, unfortunately I don't have a VCR
    (magneto-thingummy) here in France :-(
    
    Steve.
    
    

    Let's start a subscription for you then  :-)
    
    /JF

    Anybody knows what happened Y-Day night ???
    
    	(I think they were palying @ Perpignan or something like that...)
    
    Eric
    

    Perpignan-Marseille 0:0
    
    Marseille now in 3rd place (both Gueugnon and Guingamp won).
    
    /JF
    

    
    	I could have sworn (but I have very occasionally been known to be
    mistaken) that I heard some news about Marseille calling in the
    receivers or being declared bankrupt or something like that. Does
    anyone know anything about it or did I dream the whole thing ?
    
    Malc.
    

    
    Marseille has been declared in "Reglement juduciaire" by the Court.
    Please refer to topic 17 for more explanations.
    
    PYV

    
    First Cup's semis:
    
    PSG - Marseille   2:0
    
    PSG rapidly scored, after 10 minutes, on a Ricardo's header following
    a free kick. Marseille reacted quite well for a 2nd div team, and had
    some occasions. At the 36 th minutes, during this OM domination time,
    Paris scored a second, a classical, by Weah launched by Ginola.
    Then, the match was over, PSG quietly managing the match to the end
    without too much efforts. 
    
    The match was live on TF1. The first time I 've seen Cantona playing,
    I mean Joel Cantona, the brother of the other one. In terms of football
    level, nothing to do with the other one. Joel is a defender, and IMO a
    very average player. BTW, he is still a sub at OM.
    
    Today, the other semi, the East derby:  Strasbourg - Metz
    
    PYV