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Olympique de Marseille Ordered To Play One Game Behind Closed Doors

Stade Velodrome will have an eerie atmosphere for one Championnat fixture, while there is also news of one of the club's enigmatic youths...

Nov 27, 2009 9:46:21 AM

Marseille fans in San Siro Stadium - Milan-O.Marseille - Champions League (Goal.com)

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Marseille fans in San Siro Stadium - Milan-O.Marseille - Champions League (Goal.com)

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Hatem Ben Arfa

After being constantly warned about their fans’ use of flares, Olympique de Marseille have received the stern punishment of having to play one Ligue 1 fixture behind closed doors, a statement from the LFP (Ligue de Football Professionel) has indicated.

OM’s fans are notorious for being amongst the most boisterous in Le Championnat, but the LFP have taken a dim view of the spectacular use of flairs in recent times.

Specifically the club are being punished for incidents that occurred during their 2-1 home defeat against Monaco, when the LFP claims that supporters used 49 pyrotechnic devices and threw 22 objects onto the field of play in the close vicinity of players.

Since the start of the season, OM have been punished for similar offences on seven occasions, and the LFP’s patience has simply run out.

“We are disappointed and bitter,” said club spokesman Antoine Veyrat on their official website, indicating that les Phoceens will do everything legally possible to challenge the ruling.

Meanwhile, the club have rejected rumours that Hatem Ben Arfa, who had a recent spat with head coach Didier Deschamps, could be on the verge of a departure.

“He is far from gone,” sporting director Jose Anigo indicated to RMC. “I think he took a great shot in the ass after the discussion we had after the incident with Didier Deschamps. He works better in training.”

Ben Arfa took to the field in Milan as Marseille tied 1-1 with the Rossoneri in the Champions League. The mercurial prospect looked lively, and OM will hope for more performances of such quality from the undoubtedly talented youth.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com

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