The mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, was one of the first to react to the death of Bernard Tapie this Sunday, October 3, by posting on his Twitter account an image of the former businessman accompanied by a text: “Bernard Tapie, forever Marseillais. “
Bernard Tapie, forever Marseillais https://t.co/9u9oaCbvNG
Emmanuel Macron and his wife said to each other “Affected”, Sunday, by the death of Bernard Tapie, “Whose ambition, energy and enthusiasm were a source of inspiration for generations of French people”. “This man who had a fighting spirit to move mountains and win the moon never laid down his arms, and fought a battle against cancer until his last moments”, also adds a press release from the Elysee. Tracing the “Extraordinary destiny” of “Boastful, charismatic, seductive Bernard Tapie”, the press release also recalls that “The golden legend mingled the shadows of a judicial chronicle: lost trials, heavy sentences – decisions that he will have contested all his life “.
Questioned shortly before by BFMTV, the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, traveling to Avignon, himself, “Inclined” in homage to the memory of Bernard Tapie, saluting a “Fighter” and one “Very committed man”. “The first image that comes to me is that of the fighter, for his ideas, his convictions. He has always been very committed against the extreme right, but especially for causes, his club, his city, the company too. In short, a very committed man who gave everything, and I believe that we have also seen him against the disease. He fought back to back, like the fighter he always was. I bow to the memory of Bernard Tapie », the head of government told reporters.
Like him, many elected officials of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur reacted to the announcement of the death of Bernard Tapie. This is particularly the case of Renaud Muselier, the president of the region, who said “Terribly saddened by the disappearance of my friend (…), after a fierce, heroic struggle in the face of illness ”.
Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, paid tribute to the “Genius” by Bernard Tapie, “Capable of embracing, with success, all careers, all trades”, greeting “An example of surpassing oneself”.
“Tribute to Bernard Tapie who has just left us after a long and courageous fight against cancer. Loved or hated, he left no one indifferent “, commented Eric Ciotti, deputy of the Alpes-Maritimes.
“A great void in the hearts of the people of Marseilles”
The sports world also paid tribute to the one who was an emblematic and controversial president of Olympique de Marseille. ” Olympique de Marseille learned with deep sadness of the disappearance of Bernard Tapie », Reacted the football club. “He will leave a great void in the hearts of the Marseillais and will forever remain in the legend of the club. “
“This city has lost a monument, which allowed the club to shine brightly”, said José Anigo, former player at Olympique de Marseille (1979-1987) and former club coach (2002, 2004, 2013-2014). “We immediately felt that everything was going to change. It happened like a tornado. He changed this club. It’s a very sad day for Marseille ”, commented the former footballer, recounting the arrival of Mr. Tapie as president of the club in 1986.
Many French clubs have paid tribute to the memory of the former president of OM, like the PSG, historic rival of the Marseille city club, which “Expresses its condolences to the family and relatives of Bernard Tapie, as well as to OM. The club provides them with support and solidarity. He will be remembered by a deeply passionate man ”.
Jean-Michel Aulas, media president of Olympique Lyonnais, also reacted to the announcement of the death of Bernard Tapie. “With your disappearance, an entire section of French football is extinguished. Your passion was a beacon. You have shown the way for many of us and without you nothing would be like today, including for Olympique Lyonnais. “
“It will have marked our region, and our country. He will remain, forever, in the hearts of those who knew him ”, declared Christophe Castaner, president of the LREM group to the National Assembly and former mayor of Forcalquier (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence).
The Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolis welcomed “A very great man who actively contributed to the development and reputation of the territory”. “The“ Boss ”has made many Marseillais and Metropolitan residents dream, we will never forget him! “
Former minister and deputy, Jean-Louis Borloo expressed his sadness on BFMTV on the news of the death of Bernard Tapie, remembering “Both with his face, with his radiant smile when he pushed open the door of my office forty-four years ago. (…) He will have led an incredible life. Bernard, it was generosity, combat, a completely extraordinary intelligence, an extraordinary type ”.
“His banter and temperament were not lacking in panache. This time which is going away had resolutely character ”, greeted Jordan Bardella, the president of the National Rally, party that Bernard Tapie publicly fought for many years.
Bernard Tapie in a few dates
January 26, 1943 Born in Paris
1967 Opens a television store in Paris.
1979 Acquires the French castles of Bokassa.
1980 Acquires Manufrance, before getting his hands on Terraillon, Look, Testut, Wonder and Donnay.
1985 Managed the La Vie claire team, which won the Tour de France thanks to Bernard Hinault.
1986 Acquires Olympique de Marseille.
1989 Elected deputy of the 6e constituency of Marseille.
1990 Acquires Adidas.
1992 Appointed city minister, he resigned fifty-three days after his appointment and returned to the government in January 1993.
1993 OM wins the Champions League.
1994 Head of the MRG list during the European elections.
1995 Sentenced to one year in prison in the VA-OM case.
2008 Obtains 405 million euros in arbitration on Adidas case.
2013 Redeems Provence.
2015 The Paris Court of Appeal pronounces the retraction of the arbitral judgment. New trial in sight.
2019 The Paris Criminal Court acquits the businessman in the arbitration case. The prosecution appealed.
2021 Died at the age of 78.