The initiative is great: rather than an empty stand, children will fill the stands in the north turn of the Vélodrome stadium, for the match between Olympique de Marseille and Villarreal in the round of 16 first leg of the Europa League on Thursday (9 p.m. ). The turn in question was sanctioned with a match behind closed doors by UEFA, following the use of pyrotechnic devices during the match against Shakhtar Donetsk on February 22. OM reached an arrangement with UEFA.
Nearly 5,000 “minots”, aged under 14, will be invited to attend the duel between the Olympian club and its Spanish counterpart, as explained by BFM Marseille Provence. They will come from OM partner clubs. The prospect “makes you dream” of Robin, 10 years old, licensed at ASC Vivaux Sauvagère in the 10th arrondissement of Marseille. “Sometimes they do stupid things, they play badly and everything, but it doesn’t matter. I loved, I love and I will always love OM,” declared Liam, 10, on BFM. Marseille will host Villarreal on Thursday before the return leg in Spain on Thursday March 14 (6:45 p.m.).