He may have a lot of work. Willy Delajod was appointed this Tuesday by the French Football Federation to lead the meeting between Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain, scheduled at the Parc des Princes this Sunday (8:45 p.m.) for the 21st day of Ligue 1.
This is the second clasico refereed by the 33-year-old official, after that won by the capital club in September 2023 (4-0). He did not then send the slightest card, something rather rare between the two teams. Since the start of the season, Willy Delajod has officiated once for each team, during the Parisians’ draw against Lorient (1-1) and during the Marseillais victory against Brest (3-0).
An international referee since 2019, he has officiated five Conference League matches as well as six Europa League matches, including four this season. In recent years, he has regularly been in turmoil in the championship, particularly after matches involving Olympique de Marseille.
A history with Marseille
In January 2024, he was harassed after a failed performance during a Phocéens match against Monaco. Internet users had taken advantage of his job as a professional real estate agent to find his telephone number. “I received anonymous calls to insult me, my phone rang every two minutes,” he said in an interview with Le Dauphiné Libération.
In December of the same year, he was even exfiltrated from the Vélodrome stadium by security after a heated Marseille-Lille (1-1). Overwhelmed by the players and the Marseille public, Roberto de Zerbi at the top of the list, after contentious decisions, the referee was the victim of insults and threats, and did not hesitate to file a complaint.
At the start of 2025, Luis Campos also attacked Mr. Delajod at half-time of a PSG match against Toulouse, criticizing the official for not showing a red card after a nasty foul by Vincent Sierro on Bradley Barcola. Sunday evening is likely to be hot at the Parc des Princes.
