The Telegraph reported on Wednesday that OL risked exclusion from European competitions next year. While this information should be taken with a grain of salt, it gave hope to some Marseille fans, eager to get back in the Champions League race.
“What if we experience a more wonderful end to the season than we could have imagined?” Some Marseille supporters welcomed the information published in The Telegraph on Wednesday. According to the British media, Olympique Lyonnais could be excluded from European competitions next season due to a breach of an agreement with UEFA last year. This scenario appears highly unlikely.
Currently fourth in Ligue 1 (60 points), Lyon currently holds a position that would allow them to enter the Champions League preliminary rounds and playoffs. This opportunity is no longer achievable for Marseille, who are in 6th place with 56 points with one game left in the season.
OM also under UEFA scrutiny
Therefore, the revelations from the British press have rekindled hope in Bouches-du-Rhône, even though they should be approached with caution. “If this happens, does 5th place become a qualifying spot for the UCL?” ponders one user on X. “The Champions League is still within reach for OM!” reacts another, with a bit less restraint. Just like another supporter: “Habib, you have one mission on Sunday!” And one last fan adds: “They get relegated and make way for the real Olympique in the UCL.”
To dare to believe in this miracle, Habib Beye’s men must win against Rennes this Sunday (9 pm) no matter what. The Bretons are in fifth place, three points ahead of the Olympians, but with a worse goal difference.
However, Marseille fans must also remember that they are also under UEFA scrutiny. Earlier this month, L’Équipe reported that OM was struggling to comply with an agreement signed in 2022 with UEFA regarding financial fair play. The club committed to returning to financial balance over the following three seasons, with a deficit not exceeding 60 million euros in that period. However, their financial situation has deteriorated over the past four years. In case of significant overspending, the threat of exclusion from European competitions is also looming.
