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Journalist
After trying different sports, Thibault turned to a career as an amateur footballer. When making a choice between becoming a professional footballer and a journalist, the qualities tipped the scales to one side. Here he is now in the editorial team of 10 Sport, after a diploma obtained at the International Institute of Communication in Paris.
Tuesday, RC Lens announced the arrival of Pau Lopez, on loan from OM. It was then thought that the Spaniard’s loan had been terminated, but not at all. Indeed, this Wednesday, to everyone’s surprise, the Sang et Or announced that Lopez’s visit was finally canceled. An incredible imbroglio following which OM wanted to provide its explanations.
This press release, no one saw it coming. In fact, this Wednesday evening, the RC Lens announced that the coming of Paul Lopez was finally canceled, him whose loan from OM had been made official the day before. “ While a total agreement had been reached between the Racing Club de Lens, Olympique de Marseille and Pau Lopez, the arrival of the Spanish international was canceled. Girona FC informed Olympique de Marseille today of its firm desire to keep the player until January 29, an unacceptable condition for Racing which thus renounces this signing “, could we read in the press release of RC Lens.
-“This premature communication, initiated by RC Lens, was made without any legal validation”
This Thursday, it’s the turn ofABOUT to speak on this soap opera Paul Lopez. The Marseille club then gave its version of the facts, explaining: “ Olympique de Marseille would like to provide clarification regarding the cancellation of Pau Lopez’s loan to RC Lens. Olympique de Marseille confirms that following a total agreement between all parties, namely Girona FC, RC Lens, OM and Pau Lopez, the player was authorized to join Lens to spend his medical examination. On the afternoon of Tuesday January 7, OM sent Girona FC the draft agreement for early termination of the temporary transfer. Pau Lopez successfully completed his medical examination and signed his employment contract with RC Lens as well as the new loan agreement between RC Lens and OM. OM, very attached to respecting contractual commitments and sporting regulations, never countersigned the loan agreement with RC Lens, pending the signed return of Girona FC. Despite the absence of definitive commitment from all parties, the communication services of RC Lens and OM have decided, in view of their regular collaboration, to announce the arrival of the Spanish goalkeeper at RC Lens, welcoming of the new challenge offered to Pau Lopez in our Ligue 1 championship. This premature communication, initiated by RC Lens, was made without any legal validation and was therefore deleted very quickly by OM ».
“Olympique de Marseille regrets this unprecedented situation”
It is then specified by theABOUT : « Requested by OM on the evening of Tuesday January 7, Girona FC indicated that it would return the agreement for early termination of the loan the same evening or the following morning. Finally, on Wednesday January 8 in the middle of the day, Girona FC informed OM that it would be necessary to wait until January 22 for the operation to take place after their UCL match against AC Milan. Girona FC justified this position by an injury suffered by their third goalkeeper registered on their UEFA B list, Lucas Garcia, on Tuesday January 7 during training. Asked by OM to obtain additional explanations, Pau Lopez’s agent never responded. In any case, while the general agreement remained valid but was only delayed by a few days, RC Lens freely decided to put an end to this operation. Olympique de Marseille regrets this unprecedented situation and the impossibility for Pau Lopez to participate in the second part of the 2024/25 Ligue 1 championship in the Lensois jersey ».
