Paris Saint-Germain claims it was unaware of its ultras' intention to display a massive banner reading "Free Palestine" in the stands at Parc des Princes on Wednesday, prior to their 2-1 Champions League loss to Spanish side Atlético Madrid, just eight days before France take on Israel in Paris in a Nations League match.
The tifo, stretched across the ultras’ section, depicted the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem on a bleeding Palestinian flag, accompanied by an armed Palestinian, a girl draped in a Lebanese flag and a map of Israel colored in a keffiyeh pattern.
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The banner that was unflured by Paris Saint-Germian fans
(Photo: Reuters/Stephanie Lecocq)
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau on Thursday criticized the unveiling of the giant banner at the soccer match, calling it "unacceptable."
Asked if he would seek sanctions against PSG, Retailleau told Sud Radio: "I am not ruling out anything. I will demand explanations from PSG."
Paris Saint-Germain, which is majority-owned by Qatar's government, claimed in a statement they were not aware of "any plans to display such a message."
"Paris St Germain recalls that the Parc des Princes is — and must remain — a place of communion around a common passion for soccer and firmly opposes any message of a political nature in its stadium,” the soccer club added.
Could PSG now face punishment? UEFA prohibits political messages in stadiums under Article 44 of its safety and security regulations. In October 2023, when PSG hosted AC Milan at Parc des Princes during the group stage, ultras from the French capital displayed Palestinian flags and banners. At that time, UEFA chose not to impose sanctions.
However, other clubs have not escaped penalties, albeit relatively minor ones. Celtic was fined €17,500 at the end of 2023 after its ultras displayed numerous Palestinian flags and a banner calling for “victory to the resistance.” The club also chose to suspend one of its fan groups. In the Europa Conference League, Marseille was fined €40,690 in March 2022 for displaying a pro-Armenian banner during a match against Azerbaijani club Qarabağ.
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