‘Without the Champions League, it would be a disaster’ – Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia | OneFootball

Speaking in an explosive interview with La Provence, Olympique de Marseille director of football Medhi Benatia has said that a potential non-qualifcation to the Champions League would have far-reaching consequences for the club financially. “If there we don’t have the Champions League next season, it would be a disaster,” explained Benatia ahead of Marseille’s must-win match against Montpellier on Saturday evening (21:05 CET). “When you see all the work that has been done, the team we have built to get into the Champions League, I couldn’t accept being on the podium on 20 April and then no longer there on 18 May. It’s not possible.”

‘It is essential for OM to be in the Champions League’

The former Juventus and Bayern Munich defender then spoke about the potential consequences in case of a qualification in Europe’s premier club competition. “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.”“I am aware of how important this is, but clearly some people think that it won’t change anything for them because they are under contract with the club. They are wrong. It is essential for OM to be in the Champions League. Nothing will be normal without the Champions League…”Marseille’s current third place Champions League spot currently hands by a thread, with Lyon trailing one point behind and LOSC as well as Strasbourg chasing just behind on 50 points. Les Olympiens face bottom side Montpellier this evening at the Vélodrome. GFFN | George Boxall