Officially: Olympique Marseille Announces Benatia Stays Until End of Season

Olympique Marseille has officially announced that Moroccan Mehdi Benatia will remain in his position as sporting director until the end of the current season, despite submitting his resignation two days ago.

The southern French club also indicated that the duties of its president, Pablo Longoria, will be limited to "administrative responsibilities," without any involvement in the club's sporting affairs.

Olympique Marseille's statement read: "Aware of his responsibilities towards the club, Mehdi Benatia has agreed to extend his notice period (of resignation) until next June and will oversee all sporting activities."

Regarding Longoria's non-involvement, the club clarified: "Pablo Longoria's role is expected to evolve to encompass his institutional responsibilities, in order to maintain Olympique Marseille's representation in French, and especially European, administrative bodies."

RMC Sport confirmed that American owner Frank McCourt returned to Marseille to assess the situation. He insisted on not accepting Mehdi Benatia's immediate resignation, considering him an important element in the management of the club's sporting affairs.