“For many other disasters, it must be surprising to still see so many people with us”, 32 years later, the memory of the Furiani tragedy still vivid

Several hundred people took part this Sunday, May 5, in the commemorations of the Furiani disaster. An important moment of remembrance, as the Victims’ Collective wishes to continue to raise awareness, particularly among the youngest, of the tragedy which caused the death of 19 people.

32 years have passed, but for Karine Grimaldi, “it’s like it was yesterday“. Quadriplegic since the collapse of a stand at the Armand Cesari stadium on May 5, 1992, she was present, again this year, at the commemorations of the disaster.

An emotionally heavy anniversary for the victims and their loved ones. “On a daily basis, it’s always hard. But today, it’s even more so because we remember the evening“, slips Paul Calassi. Also seriously injured that evening, and very moved, he admits: “Having other people join us in rappelling is positive. We see that the goodness of the heart is still there.“

Because more than three decades have passed, there are still many who make the trip, year after year, to honor the memory of the 19 dead and 2,357 injured in the Furiani disaster. This Sunday, several hundred people went to the traditional laying of wreaths on the stele, before mass at the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, celebrated by Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo.

Alongside victims, their loved ones, supporters, religious figures and even political figures, a delegation from Olympique de Marseille gathered, including in particular the president of the club, Pablo Longoria, but also former players, present on evening of the match, such as Basile Boli and Jean-Pierre Papin.

A difficult return, testifies the latter. “These are memories that come to the surface. It’s not necessarily very pleasant, but it was normal that we were there.“

Questioned, on the sidelines of the ceremony around the stele, by a man who came to tell him that he still had the parka that the athlete had left him that evening, while the victims were waiting to be treated on the lawn of the stadium, Jean-Pierre Papin remembers: “I had left my parka, like my tracksuit jacket, like a lot of other things with my teammates. There were so many people suffering that day, and we are human, it was the least we could do to at least help others.“

The former footballer continues: “It’s a lot of emotion, because when you do a job like football, at no time can you think you’ll one day find what you found. Now it’s good to be here to remember. May it never happen again.“

To make the memory last over time, and to prevent the names of those who have left from falling into oblivion. “I think that for many other disasters, it must be surprising to see so many people with us, even today“, underlines Karine Grimaldi.

A memory that is still burning, particularly because of the actions of the May 5 Collective. “All year round, we work on carrying out various actions to raise awareness of the Furiani tragedy.“, indicates Josepha Guidicelli, its president.

With actions now focused particularly on youth, she explains, “who will be our relay and will tell our story. And in order not to forget May 5, 1992, we must exchange and bear witness with them. This year, that’s what we did, and we welcomed nearly 200 children. We tell them what happened, but also the values ​​that sport must instill.“

Almost three years after the sacralization of May 5 – no more Ligue 1, Ligue 2 and Coupe de France matches can be held on this date – and while some suggested that the measure could cause the tragic anniversary to be forgotten, Josepha Guidicelli remains convinced of the contrary. “The football authorities told us that not playing on May 5 meant closing doors and windows. I think that now, for several years, we have shown them the opposite, that the Collective does not stop.”

With perhaps, next year, actions in memory of the tragedy also deployed on the continent. In any case, this is the hope carried by the Collective.