Former Olympique Marseille president Bernard Tapie has revealed that Ghana legend Abedi Ayew Pele faked his medical at AS Monaco in order to join Marseille.
Abedi was on the verge of signing for Monaco from FC Mulhouse, but was advised to state that he had HIV, which pushed the club's top hierarchy off despite agreeing terms.
“You know what, I told Abedi Ayew Pele that when he arrives at Monaco for the medical examination, he will be asked to take a blood test which was done for African players but he should not agree,” Tapie told Le Mondo.
“Instead, he should tell them he cannot support the blood test. At the same time I conspired with an employee at Monaco who was a known figure within the club and instructed him to fabricate a falsehood that the player was HIV positive. You know we escaped beautifully because the plan worked well. He told me Monaco were afraid and didn’t take Pele because he was HIV positive.
“It’s like that. You have to win at any cost. I am ashamed of myself now but we have to accept what we are, with the good and the bad,” he added.
Next Match
Abedi became a global icon during his days at Marseille, winning the African footballer of the year on three occasions between 1991 and 1993. His sons Andre and Jordan Ayew have both played for Marseille.
