Bob Marley is among the most legendary musicians to have ever lived. Throughout his career, he dropped some absolute bars as his lyrics and ideals are still remembered to this day.
Last night, Olympique de Marseille decided to channel Bob Marley as the ultras of the French club came up with a special tifo.
It is normal for ultras of European giants to come up with special tifos and choreographies as they look to create an exciting atmosphere for big games, especially in European competitions. Once again, Marseille supporters did not disappoint.
Marseille faced the Italian side Atalanta on Wednesday in their Champions League fixture at the Velodrome. Before the game, OM supporters paid a special tribute to the Jamaican legend by unveiling an incredible tifo. The tifo was in tribute to Marley and his hit song “Get Up, Stand Up”.
Marseille fans created a superb scene on Wednesday, right before their clash against Atalanta on the 4th matchday of the UCL. The ultras unfurled a tifo depicting the late reggae legend with a Jamaican flag in the background.
The choreography continued in three parts as the unfolding of the three phrases making up the refrain of Marley’s iconic hit song, “Get Up, Stand Up.”
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Don’t give up the fight
Here is a fan-recorded video of how the tifo’s choreography came about –
🇯🇲Le tifo Bob Marley « stand up for your rights » est une masterclass . 👏#omata #omatalanta #liguedeschampion #atalantabergame #om #olympiquedemarseille #TeamOM pic.twitter.com/DZRFjUuWNC
— Carméla 13 family (@Carmela13family) November 6, 2025
Marseille’s ultras are renowned for displaying elaborate tifos as a part of the matchday experience at the Velodrome. The recent Bob Marley tifo certainly lives up to the tradition of delivering an iconic visual that delivers an emotional statement.
Released in 1973, “Get Up, Stand Up” ranks as one of the greatest songs ever, with Rolling Stone ranking it as Bob Marley’s #1 song on their list of 50 Greatest Bob Marley songs.
Marley wrote the song alongside Peter Tosh after he was deeply moved by Haiti’s poverty and the suffering endured by the people despite the natural beauty of the island when he was touring Haiti.
Since then, the song has become one of the most politically and spiritually powerful tracks thanks to its message of empowerment and resistance.
The refrain quoted by the Marseille fans is a call to action. The song is urging the listeners to demand equality and justice, and not just passively accept oppression or exploitation.
Here are a few photos taken by fans who were in attendance showcasing the three phases of the tifo choreography –
The display concluded as the fans set off a barrage of flares right before the kickoff. Interestingly, the flares culminated in Rulli’s penalty save against Charles De Ketelaere in the 14th minute.
The tifo was a big hit as fans around the world were loving it and wouldn’t stop praising the Marseille fans for the gesture and the impressive atmosphere.
As impressive as the Bob Marley tifo was, unfortunately, Marseille players didn’t live up to the performance put in by the fans. Atalanta comfortably handled Marseille.
Despite missing a penalty and having a goal chalked off for offside, Atalanta still managed a 1-0 win thanks to Lazar Samardzic’s 90th-minute winner.
After 4 games, Atalanta are currently 16th in the table with 7 points while Marseille are 25th with 3 points. With 4 games left, both teams will have to start putting points on the table if they want to book their place in the knockout rounds by finishing in the top 24.
Roberto de Zarbi’s side are flying high in Ligue Un as they’re 2nd in the table, just 2 points behind PSG, with Mason Greenwood, who is Marseille’s leading goalscorer and assister, emerging as their talisman. Marseille will have to show the same urgency in the UCL with just 4 games left to play.
What do you make of Marseille’s Bob Marley tifo? Do you have a favorite Bob Marley song? Let us know in the comments section.
