Foot: "Forever the First", a Statue of Bernard Tapie Inaugurated in Front of the Vélodrome Stadium

A statue of the former OM president was inaugurated on Friday 16 May, four years after his death. A deserved tribute, according to the supporters of the club.

The former OM boss, who died in 2021, is represented in one of his iconic moments with the Marseille football club.

Thousands of Marseille supporters moved this Friday to attend the inauguration of this work signed by the sculptor Joël Vergne.

The work represents the "boss" worn in triumph by the winners of the 1993 European Cup.

In front of a crowd of fans, a monumental statue of Bernard Tapie was inaugurated on Thursday 16 May in front of the Vélodrome stadium. High of 4.50 meters, weighing 3 tons and occupying 12 m3, it pays tribute to the former president of the OM and the epic of 1993. Tapie family, former players, club leaders and elected officials were gathered to celebrate this mythical figure of Marseille football.

Directed by the sculptor Joël Vergne on order of Laurent Tapie, one of the sons of the former politician and president of OM, the statue was installed on one of the esplanades giving access to the Vélodrome. This one now bears the name of Bernard Tapie.