MARSEILLE: The power of the press has frightened French club Marseille into imposing heavyhanded restrictions on journalists covering the pre-season preparations of the Champions League contenders.

The FrancsJeux.com website has reported that the Marseille management has gone to censorship lengths seeking to push reporting back to the days of the quill pen.

New rules issued to all journalists ban the use of mobile phones and tablets in the club’s new training centre and insisting that a media officer must be present at any interview with a player or coach.

KEIR RADNEDGE

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