Jean-Jacques Eydelie


Jean-Jacques Eydelie is a French former professional footballer most noted for his role in the Marseille UEFA Champions league 1993 win.

Career

Eydelie was born in Angoulême, Charente. A midfielder, he began his career with Nantes, before joining Marseille in 1992. His first season at Marseille was a success, with the club finishing top of the league, and winning the Champions League, but shortly after the Champions League final, it was revealed that he had contacted three players at Ligue 1 club Valenciennes on behalf of the Marseille board, in order to offer bribes. Marseille needed to beat Valenciennes to secure the championship, and had induced the Valenciennes players to "go easy" in order that the Marseille players would not be overly exerted before the Champions League final. It was Glassman who reported the bribe, which resulted in Marseille being stripped of the 1993 French title, banned from defending the Champions League, and relegated to Ligue 2. Eydelie was banned for a year by FIFA, given a one-year suspended sentence, and served 17 days in prison. Members of the Marseille board were given longer prison sentences, and Valenciennes players Burruchaga and Robert received FIFA bans for their involvement.
Upon his return to football, Eydelie had a nomadic career. He trained for a few months at Benfica, played in England, Switzerland and back in France before retiring in 2003.
From 2006 to 2007 he was the manager of amateur club Limoges Foot 87.
In 2006, Eydelie released his autobiography, telling of corruption and doping during his time at Marseille. Former OM chairman Bernard Tapie sued unsuccessfully for libel, and former teammate Didier Deschamps has also threatened legal action.

Honours