Marseille playmaker Andre Ayew conceded ââ¬Ëit hurtsââ¬â¢ to hear the clubââ¬â¢s fans boo his team even after they broke through for a win on Friday.
Ayew struck a hat-trick for Marseille as they won 3-1 over visiting Ajaccio at the Stade Velodrome but the performance did not see the south coast club avoid a vicious reception from their fans.
Before the game, insults towards Marseille coach Jose Anigo and president Vincent Labrune were found scrawled all over the clubââ¬â¢s training base, while during the contest, the supporters vented their frustration at six-match winless streak that ended against Ajaccio.
Ayew said it was a tough atmosphere to play in but conceded he and his team-mates could not ââ¬Ëblameââ¬â¢ Marseilleââ¬â¢s fans for reacting that way.
ââ¬ÅIt hurts,â⬠the Ghanaian midfielder said.
ââ¬ÅThe worst is that you cannot really blame them. Our results were not up to par.ââ¬
But while Anigo agreed that Marseille have not been good enough through March, the interim coach was less forgiving of the fans.
ââ¬ÅIt felt like everything was organised. This is annoying. I do not care who is behind all this, I am simply acting,â⬠the 52-year-old said.
ââ¬ÅFootball, this is not it. All this hate, what you can see or hear. Itââ¬â¢s not that.
ââ¬ÅIn life, there are hardships, much harder, football does not belong.ââ¬
Marseille defender Jeremy Morel agreed that the fansââ¬â¢ reaction on Friday was ââ¬Ëa little too farââ¬â¢.
ââ¬ÅOf course we understand them,â⬠Morel said.
ââ¬ÅWe are here to do our job but it is not easy. I quite agree with them (the supporters) that our state of mind was often faulty but tonight it was a little too far.
ââ¬ÅIt will be difficult to return before the public for the next match.ââ¬
The win saw Marseille stay sixth in Ligue 1 with 48 points, six adrift of fourth-placed Saint-Etienne, who occupy the UEFA Europa League berth.
With European football still up for grabs for next season, Anigo said his players deserved credit for winning under trying conditions.