Chancel Mbemba’s situation at Olympique Marseille (OM) has sparked considerable controversy in recent weeks, with the Congolese defender sidelined by the club’s management. Claude Le Roy, former coach of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and a highly respected figure in African football, has openly criticized the way Marseille has handled the case, calling it a “surprise” and expressing his disappointment in an interview with Radio France Internationale (RFI).
Mbemba, who joined OM in 2022 after a successful stint at FC Porto, where he played 138 games and scored nine goals, quickly made his mark in the Marseille first team.
During his first two seasons at the club, the 30-year-old centre-back was a key figure, featuring in 85 matches and netting 13 goals.
Despite his solid performances, Mbemba has found himself marginalized since the arrival of new coach Roberto De Zerbi, who has opted to exclude the DRC captain from his plans for the upcoming season.
De Zerbi, who took charge of OM this summer, introduced a new vision for the club that, in his view, no longer includes Mbemba.
This led to the defender being dropped from the first-team squad and reassigned to the reserves.
The move has been seen by many as a tactical decision by the club to force Mbemba to seek a transfer, after he reportedly rejected several offers from other Ligue 1 sides.
Mbemba’s exclusion from the squad has provoked outrage among supporters and former colleagues alike, with many questioning the club’s approach.
The defender, who recently had a strong international outing with the DRC national team during the September FIFA break, has been involved in an ongoing standoff with Marseille, refusing to back down despite repeated sanctions imposed by the club.
Rumours of a potential suspension have surfaced, adding further strain to an already tense relationship.
Le Roy, who is no stranger to African football and has managed seven different national teams across the continent, including two stints with the DRC, did not hold back in his criticism of OM’s leadership.
Speaking to RFI, the 76-year-old French coach expressed his dismay at how the club is treating one of its standout players, particularly given Mbemba’s consistent contributions over the past two seasons.
“That surprises me,” Le Roy remarked. “A player like Chancel Mbemba, who has delivered great performances for Marseille and continues to do so for his country, deserves better.
It’s disappointing to see how the club has handled this situation, especially given their tendency to make controversial decisions that often come at the expense of their top players.”
Le Roy’s comments are a reflection of growing dissatisfaction with the way OM president Pablo Longoria and his management team have dealt with Mbemba’s case.
Many within the football community view the club’s treatment of the DRC international as harsh and unnecessary, particularly given his previous contributions both at club and international levels.
As tensions between Mbemba and OM continue to escalate, the defender’s future remains uncertain.
With no resolution in sight, the situation at Marseille is likely to continue attracting scrutiny from both fans and experts, especially as the club navigates a challenging start to the season under new leadership.
Whether Mbemba will return to the first team or seek a way out remains to be seen, but for now, the once-vital player has been left in limbo by the club he helped succeed.
