Olympique de Marseille supporters have launched a public campaign urging media owner and club sponsor Rodolphe Saadé to remove broadcaster Jérôme Rothen from RMC following recent criticism directed at manager Bruno Genesio, Foot01 reported.
Supporters Target Media Owner Over on-Air Criticism
The friction stems from remarks made by Rothen on his RMC broadcast following Marseille’s victory against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League. Evaluating Genesio’s leadership, the former Paris Saint-Germain player stated on air that while highlighting a French manager is positive, Genesio possesses clear limits and has not won a major trophy throughout his coaching career.
Those comments drew immediate backlash from Marseille supporters, who argue that the commentary unfairly diminishes the club’s recent upward trajectory under Genesio despite a heavily depleted squad. In response to the broadcast, fans initiated social media boycotts before escalating their protests by directly addressing Saadé.
The Business Ties Linking Saadé to Marseille and RMC
Rodolphe Saadé holds a prominent position within both regional business and national media ownership. Through his shipping company CMA-CGM, he serves as a major official sponsor of Olympique de Marseille. Simultaneously, his business footprint in media expanded significantly when he acquired La Provence and subsequently took full control of Altice Média from Patrick Drahi in 2024, cementing his ownership of RMC following a subsequent acquisition finalized in June 2026.
Because of these interlocking local connections and growing media portfolio—which also encompasses outlets such as Brut, La Tribune, and Corse-Matin—fans view Saadé as a figure capable of addressing editorial grievances regarding coverage of the club.
Public Appeals and Accusations of Bias
Frustrated supporters have taken to public platforms to demand institutional intervention. One prominent fan statement published across supporter networks called directly on Saadé and CMA Media to intervene, accusing the broadcaster of delivering baseless criticism toward Marseille without valid tactical analysis.
Supporters also pointed to what they perceive as a double standard in how different Ligue 1 clubs are treated on the network, contrasting the commentary on Marseille with the tone applied to other teams during difficult results. As the club prepares for its upcoming fixtures, the friction between supporters and the sports media personality remains a prominent talking point among the fanbase.
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