Ahead of Paris Saint-Germain`s Champions League final against Inter Milan, some supporters of rival club Marseille have garnered attention by purchasing Inter shirts, viewing it as a symbolic gesture. However, this action has not been universally welcomed.
Rolland Courbis, a former manager of Marseille and now a pundit for RMC Sport, strongly criticized these fans during an appearance on BFMTV. He stated, “Spending money to buy the shirt of the team that’s facing PSG? You really must have a lot of money and not much to do with your life.”
Local retailers in Marseille have noted an unusual surge in demand for Inter Milan merchandise. According to one employee at Sport 2000, “All year long, no one asks for Inter Milan shirts. Now it’s like everyone has suddenly become a Nerazzurri fan. It’s madness.”
Courbis also offered his perspective on the long-standing rivalry between Marseille and PSG. He commented, “When I coached Marseille, PSG were a rival, not an enemy. That doesn’t mean I suddenly have a Parisian accent,” adding that this contrasted with the recent intense anti-PSG sentiment surrounding the final.
The topic of whether Marseille fans should back Inter, or even concern themselves with the match, has been a prominent discussion point in French football media this week. Some personalities, such as DJ Snake, have expressed understanding for the anti-Paris sentiment. Conversely, figures like Basile Boli sparked controversy by showing support for PSG, drawing criticism from former OM players like Éric Di Meco. Courbis, however, advocated for a more balanced view.
Offering his final thoughts, Courbis remarked, “Honestly, I’ve got better things to do than stress about whether PSG might beat Inter Milan. I had two Italian grandmothers – doesn’t mean I support Inter.”
