France’s employment minister has defended telecoms giant Orange for temporarily closing its Marseille site over growing security concerns linked to drug gang activity. The company will shut its Saint-Mauront premises from Friday until mid-December to protect its 1,000 employees.

Newcastle United reported that French police used pepper spray, batons, and shields against several of their supporters while escorting them from Marseille’s stadium after a 2-1 Champions League loss. The Premier League club called the force “unnecessary and disproportionate” and plans to raise concerns with UEFA, the host club, and local authorities.

Former Celtic defender Bobo Balde was admitted to an emergency psychiatric unit in Marseille after making “disturbing” remarks outside a local school.

Police in Marseille have shot dead a man who wounded five people in a hotel and nearby street on Tuesday afternoon.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is on the verge of signing with Olympique Marseille, with a contract agreed until June 2027, according to L’Equipe.

Nearly 1,000 firefighters backed by helicopters worked Friday to contain a wildfire burning about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Marseille, France’s second-largest city. Authorities reported that cooler temperatures and rising humidity had helped improve conditions.

French firefighters are continuing efforts to contain a major wildfire that has scorched the outskirts of Marseille, injuring more than 100 people and forcing hundreds to evacuate.

French police confirmed three projectiles were thrown at the perimeter wall of Russia's consulate in the southern city of Marseille on Monday, but no one was injured.

Former Morocco and Olympique Marseille player Abdelaziz Barrada died at 35 on Friday.