An official statement from Chairman Mourad Boudjellal after the controversy with Jean-Michel Aulas

 
Toulon chairman Mourad Boudjellal wished to make an official statement after controversy over the words he uttered concerning his wish to go to Lyon…
“Of course, my words were not to be taken literally. I like making fun of current events and, so, I made a reference to the supporters of the Marseille football team, who wish to go to the Groupama Stadium in Lyon – the club chaired by Jean-Michel Aulas – for the Europa League final. As far as we are concerned, the Top 14 semi-finals are to be held at the same place and our will is similar. And, when I added ‘we’ll go to Lyon to knock everything over’ – still as a reference to the chants of the Marseille supporters –, it is obvious that I did not wish for violent acts to happen whatsoever – be it in football or in rugby union. We just wish to go there and knock everything over with the atmosphere we will create.
I have much respect for the work undertaken by Jean-Michel Aulas and his team over the years and, of course, I have no animosity towards Olympique Lyonnais and its chairman whatsoever. I am making a call to the media and the supporters: let us all be reasonable again and have a better understanding of tongue-in-cheek humour.”