Official Statement

Olympique de Marseille has taken note of a judicial investigation, entrusted to an investigating a judge from Marseille, open to the counts of "organized gang extortion" and "participation in a criminal association with intent to commit a crime."

According to several media, this investigation could relate in particular to "the money generated by the departure of Isaac LIHADJI, the 18-year-old striker from the Olympique de Marseille Academy and bought by LOSC this summer." 

Mr José ANIGO, former sporting director of Olympique de Marseille, dismissed by the club, is said to be in police custody as part of this investigation.

Olympique de Marseille, pursuing a policy of justice, will join as a civil party in this judicial investigation to denounce and prosecute any offenses of which it may have been a victim, to participate in the manifestation of the truth and to assert its rights.

Olympique de Marseille asked Maître Olivier BARATELLI to become a civil party and to take all necessary measures, including legal ones, to immediately obtain compensation for the entire damage suffered.

Olympique de Marseille will file a complaint for any infringements of which it has been a victim, and intends to recall that it will not leave unpunished any suspicious or doubtful practice, committed without its knowledge and to its prejudice, as the club has done for four years.