Angry Marseille fans slam American owner Frank McCourt at 'Le Classique' against PSG

Angry Marseille fans displayed banners attacking the club's American owner, Frank McCourt, as the former powerhouse went on to lose 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in the French league on Sunday in traditionally the biggest game in French soccer.

Ferran Torres scored his seventh goal in six matches for PSG and captain Marquinhos netted the winner after Angel Gomes leveled for Marseille, which continued its terrible start to the season.

Marseille's fifth straight loss in all competitions left it second to last in Ligue 1. Defending champion PSG moved up to sixth place, five points behind leader Monaco heading into the international break.

Fans at the Velodrome stadium mocked the “Champions Project” of McCourt, who aimed to return the club to the summit of French soccer and among the European elite when he took over the club 10 years ago.

The banners read: “2016: Champions Project. 2026: Ligue 2 Project? McCourt Out."

Upon arrival at the vibrant southern port city, McCourt pledged to revive Marseille by investing 200 million euros ($210 million) over four years. Large amounts of money have since been spent on a myriad of players, without success.

The former Los Angeles Dodgers owner bought Marseille in 2016, and the southern club has struggled to achieve stability.

This year Marseille failed to qualify for the Champions League after a chaotic season, missing out on millions in revenues. Because of financial constraints, the club did not recruit any new players during the summer transfer window, leaving new coach Bruno Genesio with few options.

Marseille dominated domestic soccer in the late 1980s and early 1990s but hasn’t won the French league title since 2010 and has not claimed a trophy since the now-defunct League Cup in 2012.

The match between Marseille and PSG is still considered the biggest in French soccer despite Marseille’s decline in recent years.

Known as “Le Classique,” it became popular during the 1990s when the arrival of big stars in the French league ignited a strong rivalry.

But Marseille, the first French team to win the Champions League back in 1993, has fallen well behind since PSG — now the two-time defending European champion — was taken over by Qatari investors in 2011.

This was the 37th match between PSG and Marseille since 2011, with the Parisian side boasting a record of 28 wins, five draws and just four defeats in that period.

However, the sense of fierce rivalry, on and off the field, is always there. Sunday's match was played without PSG fans after French authorities banned them from traveling due to the risk of violent clashes between supporters.

The hosts dominated early on, with Amine Gouiri and Amine Harit orchestrating Marseille’s attacks with pace, only to create half chances. PSG had the first real chance in the 12th minute when Ousmane Dembélé got behind the Marseille defense but sent his effort over the bar.

Marseille forward Neal Maupay missed a great opportunity in the first half when alone in the box after he was set up by Gouiri but completely fluffed his left-footed shot.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia came close to putting the visitors ahead in the 52nd minute from an astute cut-back pass from Dembélé.

Torres, who came on in the 59th minute, broke the deadlock seven minutes later with a powerful header from Désiré Doué’s fine cross.

PSG bolstered its star-studded attack by signing Torres from Barcelona on a five-year contract this summer. The forward scored Spain’s winning goal during extra time of the World Cup final against Argentina in July. It was his only goal of the tournament and he said it was “scored by 47 million people,” referring to Spain’s population.

Marseille equalized in the 72nd minute when Gomes beat Matvey Safonov from close range. But the relief for the hosts was short-lived.

Two minutes later, Marquinhos was not properly tracked by defenders and connected with a long ball from Nuno Mendes. He forced a reflex save from Jeffrey de Lange and scored from the rebound.

Marseille was left with 10 men in the 77th minute when captain Timothy Weah was sent off for a second yellow card.

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

PSG's Marquinhos, left, celebrates with Ferran Torres after scoring his side's 2nd goal during the French League One soccer match between Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain in Marseille, France, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)

Marseille fans light flares prior to the French League One soccer match between Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain in Marseille, France, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)

PSG's head coach Luis Enrique gestures during the French League One soccer match between Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain in Marseille, France, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)

Marseille's head coach Bruno Genesio reacts during the French League One soccer match between Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain in Marseille, France, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)

PSG's Desire Doue, right, falls on the pitch challenged by Marseille's Emerson Palmieri during the French League One soccer match between Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain in Marseille, France, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)

Marseille fans cheer for their team prior to the French League One soccer match between Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain in Marseille, France, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed has movement in his extremities after injuring his neck early against the New York Jets and being taken to a hospital Sunday.

Coach Matt LaFleur said after the game that Reed would remain in the hospital in New Jersey overnight for observation. The team said there would be no further update on the injury Sunday night or a potential timetable for Reed's return to playing.

Reed was injured on the first of consecutive plays on the opening drive of Green Bay's 20-17 overtime win during which Packers players needed to be carted off the field. Right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele went out with a knee injury and didn't return.

On the Packers' second offensive play, Reed caught a short pass from Jordan Love and was hit hard by Demario Davis, whose left shoulder pad appeared to hit the receiver flush in the helmet, after a 4-yard gain. The Packers wide receiver went down quickly and was face down on the turf and writhing in pain.

Packers trainers and medical personnel immediately rushed onto the field to check on Reed, who was turned over onto his back. After a few minutes, Reed was strapped on a back board and loaded onto the cart as the entire Packers sideline surrounded him — many of them on a knee and praying. Several Jets defensive players, including Davis, also remained near Reed.

After a delay of several minutes, play resumed and Love threw an incompletion on third down. Bako-Bewele, who was blocking Jets rookie pass rusher David Bailey, was down and punching the turf.

The medical staff came out again — along with the entire Packers sideline — and Bako-Bewele was helped onto a cart. He was sitting up, slapped hands with teammates wishing him well and waved as he was driven inside the stadium.

Anthony Belton replaced Bako-Bewele at right tackle.

Packers guard Aaron Banks (toe) and his replacement Donovan Jennings (hand) also were injured in the game, as was defensive tackle Anthony Campbell (ankle).

Jets linebackers Marcelino McCrary-Ball (ankle) and Kiko Mauigoa (quadriceps) and defensive lineman David Onyemata (groin) were all ruled out after halftime. Tight end Mason Taylor injured a thumb in the fourth quarter.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) is tended to on the field during an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Green Bay Packers guard Zach Bako-Bewele (50) is tended to on the field during an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Green Bay Packers guard Zach Bako-Bewele (50) is taken off the field following an injury during an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) is taken off the field following an injury during an NFL football game againt the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) is taken off the field following an injury during an NFL football game againt the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)