Marseilles (AFP)
Smoke, fireworks, firecrackers, banners: Marseille supporters paid a final tribute to Bernard Tapie, the "boss", the one who led the Olympians to the roof of European football, Sunday evening, at the Vélodrome, before kick-off of the match against Lorient.
In the middle of the lawn, the central circle is occupied by a photo of the former club boss (1986-1994), in color, smiling, triumphant.
Far from the emaciated face of the ex-businessman during his last months of battle with cancer, until his final defeat, Sunday October 3 at 08:40 in the morning, at the age of 78 years.
The presidents of the seven groups of Olympian supporters are gathered on the sideline: in their hands, a sign, "Farewell Boss".
"Thank you Tapie, thank you Tapie", respond immediately the 56,000 supporters gathered in the stands.
In front of them, Jorge Sampaoli's players are still warming up, all dressed in the same black T-shirt, with a message, "Forever in our hearts", and a photo, that of the former president.
In the corners, the Winners and the Dodgers had been giving voice for an hour already, with a single cry, "Tapie, Tapie", when the tribute proper begins, at 8:40 pm.
Turning north, on the side of the Fanatics, the Dodgers and the MTP (Marseille Tout Puissant), Tapie's face appears, in black and white, surrounded by two dates, 1943 and 2021, his years of birth and death.
Underneath, a banner: "With you we have reached the summits, we will be forever grateful to you".
Opposite, turn south, the Winners and the Commando Ultra 84 respond with an equally impressive message: a gigantic tifo, Tapie's face again, in black and white, three blue stripes, and a star, this Champions League won in 1993. The only one ever won by a French team.
OM goalkeeper Steve Mandanda wears a t-shirt with the effigy of Bernard Tapie, the former club boss, before the match against Lorient at the Vélodrome, October 17, 2021 Nicolas TUCAT AFP
Just before the kick-off, given by Laurent, Rodolphe and Hugo, son, grandson and great-grandson of Bernard crouching, it is a short minute of silence, then a hearty applause, and finally the decibels of the sound system which spits out the guitar riffs of "Jump", by Van Halen.
The place is then left to football, and to the last meeting of the 10th day of Ligue 1, between Olympique de Marseille and the "Merlus" of Lorient.
The tone of the evening had been set even before entering the stadium, with the face of the former president of OM drawn on the steps, facing Boulevard Michelet.
The caption: "Rest in peace the Boss, you will be forever in our hearts".
© 2021 AFP