Present at a press conference this Tuesday, the Italian coach of OM hopes for “a day of celebration” during the reception of OL, to forget the excesses of last October 29.
Marseille coach Gennaro Gattuso on Tuesday urged his team’s supporters not to “not make a mess” Wednesday during the match between OM and Lyon, postponed at the end of October after serious incidents around the Stade Vélodrome.
“For our +tifosi+, it must be a day of celebration and I am sure that it will be the case. They know the importance of this match and they know that they must not make a mess.”Gattuso said at a press conference. “But I don’t have to explain anything to them, I have great confidence in them”added the Italian technician.
On October 29, shortly before his arrival at the Vélodrome, the bus carrying the players and staff of the Lyon team was targeted and stoned. Several windows had been broken and Lyon coach Fabio Grosso, since dismissed, had been seriously injured in the face. The match had been canceled and the Professional Football League (LFP) rescheduled it for Wednesday (9 p.m.), still in Marseille and in the presence of the public, contrary to what the Lyon club would have liked, whose appeal was deemed inadmissible.
Stadiums cannot be lawless zones
Gennaro Gattuso at press conference
On Tuesday, Gattuso also spoke about the risk of a complete ban on the movement of supporters during football matches, mentioned on Monday by the Minister of Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castéra in reaction to several serious incidents in French football, in particular the death of a supporter on Saturday in Nantes.
“It would be a defeat for football. But it’s normal that decisions are made when things like this happen.”estimated Gattuso. “There is nothing more beautiful than a full stadium, with children, people who come to the stadium from father to son. Children should be able to come see their idols and experience a day of celebration holding their father or mother’s hand. But stadiums cannot be lawless zones.added the Marseille coach.
