Pablo Longoria, the president of Olympique de Marseille, has been handed a 15-match suspension by the Ligue 1 disciplinary commission, a decision that has sent shockwaves through the football world. The suspension, announced on February 26, 2025, comes after Longoria’s controversial remarks following Marseille’s 3-0 loss to Auxerre. He called the referee’s decisions “corrupt” after Derek Cornelius was sent off and a penalty for Marseille was denied. Despite issuing public apologies, the commission noted his repeated behavior, as he had already been warned in January for similar comments, leading to the harsher penalty.
The suspension is effective immediately and will extend into the 2025/2026 season. This means Longoria will be barred from the locker rooms, the bench, and even the corridors leading to the field. This sanction comes at a critical moment for Marseille, who is fighting for a place in the Champions League. With five consecutive losses and 10 points behind Paris Saint-Germain, who leads the league, the situation is becoming increasingly difficult for the club. PSG, having secured a 3-2 win over Lyon, has now extended their lead to 13 points with just 11 matches remaining.
Longoria’s suspension raises questions about the club’s leadership during this crucial phase of the season. If Marseille continues to drop points without their president at the helm, qualifying for the Champions League could soon become an unrealistic target. The players, coaching staff, and supporters will need to rally together to overcome this internal crisis and maintain their performances on the pitch. The next few months will be pivotal for Marseille as they face an uncertain end to the season.
