Eleni Dimitropoulou
October
Ultras, celebrations, anthems, hatred and violence are often associated with football. Coming from a country where the derby between Olympiakos and Panathinaikos brings out some of the best ultras in the world, I came to discover what happens in my new country of residence, France.
These often involve clubs that consistently contend for titles, as well as neighboring teams—a key aspect of what defines a derby. It’s more likely that Steaua Bucharest will reclaim the European championship, Morecambe will win the Premier League, or Nafplio will become the capital of Greece again than the likelihood ofParis Saint-Germain (PSG) and Marseille ever reconciling. Their rivalry is deeply rooted in historical, cultural, social and class differences—opposing ways of life and entrenched perceptions.
From a purely sporting perspective, Paris and Marseille don't share much history before 1970, when PSG was founded. Until then, Marseille primarily competed with teams like St. Etienne and Bordeaux for the French title, boasting dominance in Ligue 1. However, over the decades, the dynamics changed.
Olympique de Marseille (OM), founded in 1899, is one of the few clubs that played in Ligue 1 when it was formed in 1932 and continues to compete there today. After a tumultuous period in the 1960s, marked by stints in Ligue 2, the arrival of Bernard Tapie revitalized the club, leading to back-to-back championships. Since then, OM’s performances have fluctuated, and despite frequently being at the top, the club has faced challenges maintaining its position. Notably, OM is the only French club to have won the UEFA Champions League, in 1993. Additionally, it has won the Coupe de France ten times and claimed the Ligue 1 title nine times.
PSG, meanwhile, burst onto the scene in 1986, shaking up French football by winning Ligue 1 for the first time. Until that point, Marseille had been the pride of the Mediterranean, outshining the Parisians in the football world. PSG’s rise dealt a significant blow to Marseille's pride and triggered the beginnings of an intense rivalry.
While the rivalry only officially dates back to 1991, it is more about what the clubs represent. Marseille is a Mediterranean city, open and full of sun, famous for its working-class origins, vibrant emigrant communities and a rich history of art and literature that carries its multiculturalism. On the contrary, Paris lies on a generally rainy plain, striving to be an enclave of power and elegance, home for the upper classes with highly emphasized high culture, luxury and congenital elitism. Whereas the culture of Marseille is steeped in genuineness and pride for the locale, Paris exudes eloquence and elegance, often with a hint of supremacy over the rest of the country.
This tension between Paris and Marseille was born in 1660 when the forces of Louis XIV invaded Marseille, subduing the rebellious city and subordinating it to direct royal control. That ended a long-standing tradition of Marseille's independence and fostered great resentment, thus starting an embittered rivalry between the northern pole of power in Paris and the proudly independent southern port).
This regional rivalry was eventually transferred to football in 1991. At the time, Marseille was not only France’s strongest team but also a serious contender in the Champions League. As pay TV was emerging in France, Canal+ made a move to buy PSG, which Bernard Tapie, OM’s president, found scandalous. Tapie launched a campaign around the idea that “France is not just Paris” and “The South cannot be subjugated by the North.” Media outlets fueled this fire, and a true derby was born.
The match on May 29, 1993, solidified this rivalry as France’s most important. At that time, the political establishment was pursuing legal action against Tapie, and tensions were high. Marseille triumphed 3-1, with goals from Rudi Völler, Basile Boli, and Alen Bokšić after PSG had initially taken the lead through Vincent Guérin. This victory, which eventually secured Marseille’s title, sparked wild celebrations in the city.
Since then, the rivalry, known as Le Classique, has endured for over 30 years. PSG won the league again in 1994 and, backed by Qatari ownership, has since built a team that competes on the global stage. Meanwhile, Marseille has struggled to keep pace, often fighting for a top-three finish. Despite these differences, Le Classique remains one of the most anticipated fixtures in French football.
To better understand this theoretical concept in the sports world, we had the chance to delve into this topic more by interviewing a true fan, a classmate of ours, Aymen Madani from the 2As.
Q: How did you become a fan of Marseille, and how has your connection to the club evolved over time?
Aymen: "I’ve been fond of Marseille since the day I was born because, well, I was born and raised there. I’ve spent my entire life in the city. I’ve been a Marseille fan from the very beginning, even as a kid. I wasn’t deeply into football back then—I never joined a football club or association—but I followed Marseille as much as I could. When I entered middle school, around 11 or 12, I started watching their games more closely and got more involved as a fan. The matches against Paris made me prouder to support OM. As I grew older, I realized how intense the rivalry is, especially when Paris comes to Marseille. The reception Paris players get when they come to Marseille is just wild—it's chaotic. That’s when I thought, ‘Wow, we really do hate Paris.’"
Q: Are there episodes of violence between fans?
Aymen: "The atmosphere outside the stadium can get chaotic hours before a match. But PSG fans in Marseille and OM fans in Paris have been banned since 2010-2011. So, it’s been nearly 15 years that we’re not allowed to travel to these away games. The spots reserved for away fans are closed during these matches."
Q: What is football to you?
Aymen: "A family tradition—that's how I would characterize it. So with my mother and three elder sisters, we would watch often but actually, my sisters and especially my mother, despite their ignorance when Marseille plays, become quite interested and they would actually make efforts. They would cheer like their life depends on it and they would defend the équipe even though they do not understand the rules."
Q: What’s the difference between ultras and hooligans?
Aymen: "People often confuse ultras with hooligans, but they’re different. Hooligans use football as an excuse for violence. Ultras, on the other hand, are deeply dedicated to the club and consider themselves a key part of it. They’re like an extension of the club—when you think of the team, you think of the players, coach, president, and the ultras. Unfortunately, some ultra groups become violent, especially during away games, as they’re fiercely protective of their club. It’s their identity—they are the club, and the club is them."
Q: What do you think about Mbappé leaving Paris?
Aymen: "I’ve grown up watching PSG beat Marseille most of the time, and Mbappé has been our worst nightmare since 2018. We call him 'the turtle' or 'the nut' because he always haunts us. He’s the second-highest scorer in Le Classique and enjoys mocking us when he scores. However, I appreciate his talent with the French national team, especially since he carried them to victory in 2018. This season, our team is doing well, sitting in third place, tied with Monaco. If we can beat Paris this month, we could overtake them in the standings. We’ll see, but I don’t think our chances are much better, even if Mbappé leaves."
Q: When was the last time your team beat PSG, and what were the circumstances?
Aymen: "We last beat them in October 2020, right after the COVID-19 lockdowns, in their stadium. That was our first win against PSG in eight years, as we hadn’t beaten them since 2012. More recently, we won in February 2023 in the Coupe de France, beating them 2-1 at home. That victory turned into a massive street party, with people honking, singing and celebrating all night. The stadium atmosphere was incredible, but sadly, I wasn’t there in person. Watching it on TV was still unforgettable, though."
Q: How does football impact a fan, especially a man's mood?
Aymen: "My mood depends on their performance. So, I can come on a Monday with a depressed look because they lost the game. But if they won the day before and let's say we won against Paris the day before I'll be too cheerful and delighted. I am hosting a party."