Olympique de Marseille counter-attack. The Marseille club announced that it had sued Mohamed Ayachi Ajroudi and Mourad Boudjellal, declared candidates for the acquisition of OM, on Tuesday, accusing them of leading "a campaign of destabilization". "A summons prepared by the Malka et Associés cabinet (...) was issued today by a bailiff" to the Franco-Tunisian businessman, leader of the project, and at his choice for the presidency of OM, the club said in a statement.
This summons aims to engage the responsibility of Ajroudi and Boudjellal on the basis of article 1240 of the Civil Code for the damage caused by "an intensive campaign of massive disinformation with the obvious aim of destabilizing and weakening the club", specifies t -on the side of OM.
"A destructive and selfish campaign"
"No one should use OM in order to establish their personal notoriety", the statement insisted, referring to "a destructive and selfish campaign based on deceptions and lies". The club carried out its "investigations (which) made it possible to gather numerous elements to charge" against Ajroudi and Boudjellal and "intends to condemn the authors of this campaign of destabilization", the statement continued.
"At no time" the owner of the OM, the American Frank McCourt, "did not consider selling his stake in SASP OM" to these two people, and "contrary to what could be said in the media , neither Frank McCourt nor anyone belonging to the McCourt group and OM has had any contact with them or their advice, ”insists the club.
McCourt repeats that he is not a salesman
The club sees in "this unprofessional and sneaky behavior" an "attack on OM" when it returns to the Champions League after seven years of absence. McCourt and President Jacques-Henri Eyraud have "a long-term comprehensive strategic plan" for the club and therefore do not want to sell it, it is written.
At the end of June, Mourad Boudjellal, successful ex-president of Rugby Club Toulonnais (a Top 14, three European Cups) and Mohamed Ajroudi had announced that they wanted to buy OM from Frank McCourt, in particular with Saudi and Emirati funds, for a "Mediterranean" project. McCourt and OM have been rehearsing since they were not sellers. "Everything is for sale and everything is to be bought," replied Ajroudi.