Wednesday 13 April 2016 19:46, UK
Olympique de Marseille have been put up for sale by the club's owner Margarita Louis-Dreyfus.
Louis-Dreyfus has decided to end her 20-year association with the Ligue 1 club due to their poor form this season.
The 10-time French champions are in 14th place, just six points above the relegation zone, with five games remaining.
"I understand the frustration of not seeing OM being able to be competitive at this level and I'm informing you that I took the decision to give up the club to the best investor possible for the long term," said Russian-born businesswoman Louis-Dreyfus, who has owned the club along with her late husband Robert since 1996.
"The moment a buyer is chosen, I will inform the mayor and the supporters about it.
"The price isn't my primary concern. However, the ability of the new shareholder to build a team that wins at the highest level is essential. I've asked my team of advisors to take care of it."
Marseille supporters have been calling for the departure of both Louis-Dreyfus and club president Vincent Labrune in recent days, with OM winless in nine matches and on a club record run of 14 home league games without a win since they beat Bastia 4-1 in September.
The 0-0 draw at home to Bordeaux on Sunday was played amid fan protests at the team's struggles which featured banners depicting goats and the Benny Hill theme tune being played from the stands.
Supporters also continued their theme of fury at the perceived apathy of Louis-Dreyfus, with one banner at the Stade Velodrome reading: "Margarita rich incompetent heiress get lost!"
