Olympique de Marseille has received an official reprimand from the Union des Journalistes de Sport en France (UJSF) for allegedly restricting journalists from La Provence from asking questions during press conferences, a situation the union has described as “intolerable.”
This controversy highlights a growing rift between the club and certain media outlets. In a strongly worded statement, UJSF president Vincent Duluc accused the team of effectively boycotting the media, countering the club’s prior assertions to the contrary.
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On January 25th, OM released a statement defending their media policy as based on “strategic choices” influenced by context and respect for the institution. They stressed that they do not engage in “boycott” or “censorship.”
Recently, journalists from La Provence were reportedly notified that they could no longer ask questions during press conferences, limiting their access to players and coaching staff. This decision appears to stem from discontent within the club regarding certain coverage. For the UJSF, this action crosses a significant boundary.
Additionally, the union referenced recent legal rulings. A French court penalized Biarritz Olympique on March 6, 2023, and reaffirmed the decision on February 15, 2024, for similar practices, mandating the club to pay damages and explicitly prohibiting any refusal to answer journalists’ questions during official media engagements.