Marseille coach Habib Beye targeted in home burglary
Olympique de Marseille first-team coach Habib Beye was the victim of a burglary at his home during the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, according to reports from French newspaper La Dépêche. The former Marseille defender was not present at the time of the incident, with thieves making off with clothing and items from the luxury brand Louis Vuitton.
The break-in is the latest in a series of similar crimes targeting high-profile football figures in France since the start of the year. AS Monaco striker Breel Embolo and other players have experienced comparable burglaries, highlighting a concerning trend for athletes and coaches in the country.
For Beye, this is not the first time he has been targeted by criminals. In March 2005, while still a player for Marseille, he was a victim of a carjacking. Following a league match against Saint-Étienne, three masked men forced him to stop near his home and hand over the keys to his car. In a bizarre twist, the assailants reportedly complimented his performance in that evening's game before driving away.
The 46-year-old is currently part of head coach Jean-Louis Gasset's staff at the Stade Vélodrome, having returned to the club in a coaching capacity in 2022 after a celebrated playing career there from 2003 to 2007. His current focus is on helping Marseille secure European qualification for next season, with the club sitting in a challenging position in Ligue 1.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of financial scrutiny for Marseille, with recent reports indicating the club's accounts are in the red. It also comes during a period of heightened security concerns for football personalities in France, with police likely to reiterate advice about home security measures for public figures.
Local authorities are understood to be investigating the burglary. Marseille has not issued an official statement regarding the matter, with the club's attention primarily on upcoming fixtures. The personal violation adds an unwelcome distraction for Beye as he concentrates on his coaching duties during a critical phase of the season.
