Angry Marseille fans slam American owner Frank McCourt at ‘Le Classique’ against PSG

By the Editorial Team · Monday, September 21, 2026

Marseille lost 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in "Le Classique," with fan protests against club owner Frank McCourt highlighting frustration over the team's poor performance and precarious league position. The defeat deepens Marseille's struggles amid financial constraints and squad challenges, while PSG continues to assert dominance in the rivalry despite sitting sixth in Ligue 1.

Marseille’s ongoing struggles in the French Ligue 1 were underscored on Sunday as the team fell to Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 at the Stade Vélodrome in the high-profile fixture known as “Le Classique.” The match featured a series of protests by Marseille supporters against club owner Frank McCourt, reflecting growing frustration with the team’s continued underperformance.

The American businessman has owned Marseille since 2016, having invested approximately $210 million initially in an effort to restore the club’s former prominence. However, despite significant spending on numerous players over the past decade, the club remains mired in difficulty, currently sitting second-to-last in the league following its fifth consecutive defeat in all competitions.

Fans greeted McCourt’s presence with banners criticizing the “Champions Project” he launched upon acquiring the club, with slogans questioning the club’s trajectory and openly demanding “McCourt Out.” The banners referenced the years since his takeover, contrasting early ambitions with the team’s current struggles and even suggesting a potential relegation battle.

On the pitch, Ferran Torres opened the scoring for PSG with his seventh goal in six appearances, demonstrating the attacking threat introduced by the former Barcelona forward, who signed a five-year contract with the Parisian side this summer. Despite Marseille equalizing through Angel Gomes in the 72nd minute, PSG captain Marquinhos quickly restored the lead before Marseille were further disadvantaged when captain Timothy Weah was sent off late in the match for a second yellow card.

Marseille, which once dominated French football during the late 1980s and early 1990s and became the first French team to win the UEFA Champions League in 1993, has struggled to regain former glory. The club has not claimed a league title since 2010 nor won any major trophies since the League Cup in 2012. This season, Marseille failed to qualify for the Champions League, a setback that has compounded financial challenges and limited their ability to reinforce the squad during the summer transfer window. Consequently, new head coach Bruno Genesio faces a difficult task with a depleted roster.

PSG, backed by Qatari investment since 2011, have risen in stature, now holding six league titles since that takeover and consolidating a dominant record in fixtures against Marseille. Sunday’s match marked the 37th meeting between the two sides since 2011, with PSG winning 28 of those encounters. The rivalry remains intense both on and off the field, though Sunday’s game saw no PSG supporters in attendance due to travel bans imposed by French authorities amid concerns over potential clashes.

PSG currently sit sixth in Ligue 1, five points behind league leaders Monaco, while Marseille languish in 19th place as the league approaches an international break. The outcome highlights the widening gap between the two clubs, even as the storied rivalry continues to captivate French football fans.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.