It has been reported that part of Lyon’s decision to fire veteran center defender Marcelo last season was due to his farting in the dressing room and joking about it with his teammates. A new study in L’Equipe sheds light on Lyon’s turbulent recent years, both on and off the field, and explains some startling truths behind their demise.
One of the most unusual instances is that of Marcelo, a Brazilian defender who was mysteriously booted out of the first squad in August 2021 before departing the club under a cloud a few months later.
His dismissal was reportedly prompted by his farts in the dressing room—and the accompanying hilarity among teammates—which enraged the hierarchy amid a difficult period for the club on the pitch. The event occurred after a 3-0 loss to Anger, a team Lyon was anticipated to overcome, and in which Marcelo scored an own-goal.
Manager Peter Bosz had only been in charge for a few months at the time, and sporting director Juninho was becoming bored with the squad, leading to his departure during the winter break less than five months later. Marcelo was first pulled from the first team following a “dressing-room incident,” but no further information was released at the time.
After leaving the club in January, the 34-year-old joined Bordeaux, where he is currently involved in a relegation struggle as the season draws to a close. With only two games left in the season, the team is now at the bottom of Ligue 1, four points from safety.
Marcelo has started the team’s previous three games, all of which have ended in defeat. Meanwhile, Lyon’s troubles have continued, and they now appear to be on the verge of missing out on European football after a season that, according to L’Equipe, “should have been filmed” due to the drama of the plot.
The team has deducted a point for in-stadium fan violence, and there were failed recruitment attempts, a coach under fire, Juninho’s mid-season departure, and the departure of two major shareholders.
