This Sunday, OM hosts AS Monaco at the Vélodrome. A few days before this match, the Monegasques experienced a complicated evening against Benfica.
This Wednesday evening, AS Monaco played their match against Benfica in the Champions League. A few days before their trip to the Vélodrome to face OM, the Monegasques lost against the Portuguese club in a complicated evening and a difficult scenario to swallow with two goals from Benfica in 4 minutes at the end of the match.
Clément Turpin: A referee challenged by OM
Turpin's refereeing, often perceived as harsh towards OM in recent years, has become a recurring subject of discontent in Canebière.
The arbitration of Clement Turpin in OM matches has frequently been a source of tension. Marseille supporters criticize him for his management of cards and decisions considered harsh, particularly at key moments. Statistics from recent seasons illustrate this growing frustration.
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- Saison 2020/2021 : During the match against Rennes (15th day), OM lost 2-1, and Turpin distributed several yellow cards, including a red for a Marseille player. Against Lille (28th day), OM suffered another 2-0 defeat with management of cards considered excessive.
- Saison 2021/2022 : In Nice (3rd day), OM concedes a draw (1-1) with four yellow cards. Against Saint-Étienne, although OM won 4-2, the referee distributed several yellow cards to the Phocaeans.
- Saison 2022/2023 : In Paris (11th day), OM loses 1-0, and Turpin gives a red card to a Marseille player. In February 2023, against Nice, OM were defeated 3-1 with a new avalanche of yellow cards.
- Saison 2023/2024 : More recently, during the match against Toulouse, OM obtained a 2-2 draw, but still collected several yellow cards.
The main criticisms of Marseille supporters with regard to Clement Turpin concern the frequency of yellow and red cards inflicted but also interpretations of goals or fouls in the area. OM seems systematically disadvantaged by a strict application of the regulations, particularly in situations where other referees could be more lenient. This contributed to the image of a biased referee in the eyes of OM fans.
OM – Monaco: A high-stakes match and additional pressure
The OM – Monaco meeting, already crucial for the club’s European ambitions, promises to be tense. The Marseillais will not only have to face a major opponent in the fight for European places but the men of By Zerbi will have to show a different face at the Vélodrome. OM are much more comfortable away this season…
Conclusion
The appointment of Clément Turpin to referee this OM – Monaco match will not fail to reignite tensions. Marseille supporters hope that the referee will remain impartial and that his decisions will not disrupt the course of OM, already under pressure in this race for the podium.
