OM: The Union of Sports Journalists in France strongly denounces the boycott of La Provence

The OM has crossed an unacceptable line by banning La Provence from asking questions at press conferences for the past fifteen days and selectively allowing authorized media to speak. This action has been strongly condemned by the Union of Sports Journalists in France, which boasts over 3000 members. The UJSF advocates for the importance of respecting essential rights in carrying out journalists’ missions. They were shocked to learn that the Olympique de Marseille leaders had decided to silence our journalists in March 2026.

“L’OM has carried out its unacceptable threats.”

On January 25, OM issued a surprising and concerning statement regarding its relationships with the media, citing some decisions as strategic choices based on analysis of contexts, treatments observed, and respect for the institution,” wrote President Vincent Duluc in a statement released this Thursday afternoon and sent to the Marseille club. In this unexpected text that the Union of Sports Journalists in France had denounced, the Marseille club clarified that they were not practicing either boycott or censorship.

And the chief reporter of L’Equipe, leading the Union of Sports Journalists in France, continued: “Words have meaning, and apparently, the definition of these terms should not be the same at La Commanderie as in the rest of France, a country where freedom of the press is a fundamental right. As feared, another step has been taken as journalists from La Provence have been informed in recent days that they will no longer be allowed to ask questions at press conferences. They are no longer permitted to question players and the Olympique de Marseille coach. Unhappy with articles published recently, OM has followed through on its unacceptable threats. This intolerable decision cannot be accepted by the UJSF.”

The Biarritz Olympique was condemned in 2023

The UJSF also stated it will not stand idly by if “this iniquitous situation persists” and referred to the precedent of the Biarritz Olympique case (rugby), which was condemned for obstructing journalists from doing their job. “By judgment of March 6, 2023, confirmed on February 15, 2024, the Bayonne court established a precedent by condemning Biarritz Olympique to pay €5,000 in damages and interest to the UJSF and ordered the club, among other things, to prohibit any boycott of journalists consisting of players or a member of the technical staff refusing to answer questions posed by journalists at a press conference or any other contact, under penalty of €5,000 per observed violation. The UJSF, if necessary, will take the matter to court to enforce this precedent.”