OM are preparing to face Angers this Sunday at 3 p.m., but the meeting is already marred by a major controversy: the Angers club has decided not to present its players during the pre-match press conference. This measure, announced on the eve of the traditional speech, obliges coach Stéphane Gilli to speak alone in front of the media, without the presence of his staff.
The decision comes as OM have just suffered a 0-1 defeat against Olympiakos in the Europa League, which has already put the club in an atmosphere of doubt. Supporters and journalists are wondering if this new Angers policy could influence the atmosphere of the match. Until now, the presence of players at press conferences was standard practice in Ligue1, although PSG had already adopted a similar approach. The lack of explanations from the club fueled the incomprehension and aroused the anger of local journalists.
The Union of Sports Journalists in France (UJSF) reacted quickly, publishing a press release denouncing the Angers decision. “By opposing the use and necessity of media coverage of Ligue1, the Angers club has chosen to no longer present a player at a pre-match press conference,” declared the union. The UJSF stressed that this measure prevents journalists from asking questions directly to the players and covering the team adequately. The union also recalled that the SCO does not benefit from national media overexposure which would justify such a restriction.
The UJSF press release also mentions difficulties in collaboration between the club and Angevin journalists for several months. “We have deplored the lack of cooperation from the club for a long time,” added the union, which calls on the Professional Football League to guarantee journalists’ access to players in the championship. According to the UJSF, press conferences are essential to collect player reactions and report on team life.
While OM seeks to concentrate on the sporting part after its European defeat, Angers' decision already places the meeting in the spotlight. It remains to be seen whether the club will maintain this policy in future press conferences or whether it will reverse its position. In the meantime, the UJSF has clearly expressed its opposition, opening a broader debate on the relations between Ligue1 clubs and the media responsible for covering them.