Tony Cascarino reflects on Marseille's 1994 relegation

Former Olympique de Marseille striker Tony Cascarino has suggested that the club has never fully recovered from its administrative relegation in 1994. Writing for The Times, the former Irish international reflected on the lasting impact of the VA-OM match-fixing scandal, which saw the club relegated to the second division.

Cascarino, who joined Marseille in 1994 following the relegation, noted that the club was prohibited from paying transfer fees at the time, forcing them to recruit free agents. He recalled signing his contract while crossing paths with Rudi Völler, who was leaving the club.

While Marseille won the second division title in 1995, their promotion was blocked by the DNCG due to critical financial issues, forcing a second consecutive season in the lower tier. Cascarino used the historical precedent to warn Manchester City regarding their own current legal and regulatory risks.