OM-Atalanta: monkey cries and Nazi salutes, these “intolerable and unworthy” behaviors of Italian supporters at the Vélodrome

Europa League semi-final first leg between Marseille and Atalanta Bergamo, this Thursday, May 2, 2024. SPORTPIXPRESS – MAXPPP

This Thursday, May 2, 2024, during the Europa League semi-final first leg between Marseille and Atalanta Bergamo, images posted on social networks revealed a Nazi salute and an imitation of a monkey in the visitors' stand of the Vélodrome.

"I strongly condemn the behavior of some Italian supporters during OM-Atalanta. This is intolerable and undignified. Racism has no place in a stadium or outside it", said Benoît Payan, mayor of Marseille, on X.

Je condamne fermement les comportements de quelques supporters italiens pendant #OMAtalanta. C’est intolérable et indigne.

Le racisme n’a pas sa place dans un stade ni à l’extérieur. https://t.co/eqbqnYPRtT

— Benoît Payan (@BenoitPayan) May 2, 2024

Monkey imitation

This Thursday, May 2, 2024, during the Europa League semi-final first leg between Marseille and Atalanta Bergamo at the Vélodrome, OM supporters posted videos on which we can see an imitation of a monkey and a Nazi salute in the grounds of Atalanta Bergamo, reports RMC Sport.

Nazi salute

In a first video, a supporter present in the stand reserved for Atalanta supporters is filmed imitating a monkey several times with his arms. In a second video, another gives a Nazi salute this time.

Depuis le virage nord, c’est ça Bergame?? Honteux!!! @OM_Officiel @Atalanta_BC @EuropaLeague #OMAtalanta pic.twitter.com/fPhwxa0qcK

— Petit baoulé🇨🇮 (@diims225) May 2, 2024

La même ici pic.twitter.com/M5V8jBqrpu

— Pierre (@Lejeune2Pierre) May 2, 2024

The authorities had deployed a reinforced security system in order to supervise the nearly 3,000 Italian supporters expected in Marseille. Among them, 200 to 300 were considered at risk by the Bouches-du-Rhône police headquarters, specifies RMC Sport.

These images filmed at the Vélodrome recall what happened on April 10 at the Parc des Princes. Two Barça supporters were arrested, accused of ;"apology for war crimes and public racist insult" at the Parc des Princes, where PSG met FC Barcelona in the Champions League .

The Paris police headquarters reported on quot;. UEFA had sanctioned FC Barcelona with a fine of 25 000 euros for the & ;quot;racist behavior of his supporters".