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Dimitri Payet’s loyalty is lauded by Marseille as France welcomes home man of ‘principle’ and ‘discipline’ after West Ham exit

'He comes in peace', read the headline in the French newspaper L'Equipe on Tuesday morning. After escaping the toxic hostility of east London, Dimitri Payet returns to national acclaim in France.

In Marseille on Monday, the mood was one of celebration. Marseille have their man and oh boy, do they want to shout about it.

In France, they enjoy getting one over on the English and the press corps in Marseille were amused and bemused in equal measure by the ferocity of West Ham's attacks on Payet's character in recent days.

Payet beams after rejoining Marseille from West Ham in a u00a325million deal
Payet beams after rejoining Marseille from West Ham in a £25million deal
Dimitri Payet is unveiled as a Marseille player on Monday alongside club president Jacques-Henri Eyraud (right) and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta
Dimitri Payet is unveiled as a Marseille player on Monday alongside club president Jacques-Henri Eyraud (right) and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta
The return of Payet to Ligue 1 is heralded by the front cover of L'Equipe on Tuesday
The return of Payet to Ligue 1 is heralded by the front cover of L'Equipe on Tuesday

To recap, manager Slaven Bilic insisted Payet refused to play or train.