Marcel, aged 18, drowned after jumping from the footbridge into Lake Bordeaux. He was a supporter for Olympique de Marseille. It was his older brother, Ernest, who brought him to the Saint-Medard-en-Jalles Football Club (FCSMJ) for the first time a year ago. He was a member of the senior regional team and played three times per week. His club organized a day of tribute on Saturday.
Marcel's face is covered by the T-shirts of the organizers. After the minute of applause that marks the beginning of the indoor football tournament in Marcel's memory, all eyes are on the ground. The event attracted around 80 people.
Most players will always remember the tragic death of their friend two weeks ago. He was not only a teammate but a friend and a child," says a licensee. "The atmosphere today isn't heavy because we are here to honor his memory and Marcel was an icon of positivity," Suhliman, one his teammates, recalls.
The dream of this football fan was to break into the industry. "He had brilliant footballing qualities. He was a smiling, loved person. Arnaud Garnier (president of the FCSMJ) said that the club had to stand in solidarity with its families because this is one of the values of this sport.
He emphasizes that he must also give thanks to the partners for providing many prizes. Marcel's family will receive all profits (registrations and refreshments, donations, etc.). "This will allow us to pay the funeral directors and finance his repatriation to Cameroon where our mother lives," says his brother, Philippe, with whom he had been living for a year in Saint-Medard-en-Jalles. He admits that he is touched by the gesture of his club.
A fundraiser is available online: https://gofund.me/7879942a
