Bernard TAPIE
(1943-2021)
A colourful French businessman and politician, Tapie had a reputation as a ruthless, asset-stripping businessman.
In 1986 he bought Olympique Marseille, winning four league titles, two French Cups and, most significantly, the Champions League in 1993. Within days of the 1-0 win over Milan, however, it emerged that the club had tried to “buy” a league game against Valenciennes the previous weekend.
Tapie and general manager Jean-Pierre Bernes had contacted Valenciennes’ players and asked them to underperform so that Marseille could have the title wrapped up – and have their players remain injury-free and fresh – ahead of the Champions League final. Yet one of the players contacted, Jacques Glassmann, blew the whistle – a decision that later earned him a FIFA Fair Play Award.
Marseille were stripped of their French league title, punished with relegation and barred from defending the European crown, while Tapie received a prison sentence for his role in the match-fixing scandal.
On his release from prison in July 1997, Tapie created a new persona as an actor and radio and television host. He then became a media mogul after buying La Provence and associated titles in 2012.
In spite of his misdeeds, by making Marseille the first – and, to date, only – French side to win the Champions League, Tapie will always be well remembered at the Stade Velodrome
– as demonstrated by the tributes that have been paid to him by the club.