US owner Frank McCourt taking ‘keen interest’ in Marseille men’s & women’s run-in | OneFootball

According to a report from local paper La Provence, Olympique de Marseille owner Frank McCourt is expected to travel to Provence on Sunday to attend Les Olympiens’ crunch match against Stade Brestois. The American businessman, who isn’t a regular attendee at the Vélodrome, makes a second trip in three weeks. Local media report that the American is taking a keen interest in OM’s results at the end of the season, with qualification to the UEFA Champions League a key concern for the future finances of the club. La Provence also report that McCourt is keen to follow the progress of Marseille’s women’s team, who are currently fighting for promotion to the top tier at the end of this season. Champions League football next season is vital for the club’s ambitions and even finances. In an interview before Marseille’s 5-1 win over Montpellier, sporting director Medhi Benatia said “If there we don’t have the Champions League next season, it would be a disaster.”“Without TV rights and without the Champions League, with the club’s salaries and expenses, I was told that it would be very complicated. It’s a calculated gamble, a risk taken by the decision-makers. I’m not the one making these decisions, but we’re all aware of them. When I ask everyone at the club to do a little bit more, it’s not for nothing.”GFFN | George Boxall