On Wednesday, during Paris Saint-Germain’s 1-2 defeat by Atlético de Madrid in the Champions League, the Collectif Ultras Paris displayed messages in favor of Palestine in the Tribune Auteuil. UEFA has decided not to impose any sanctions, although political messages should be set aside. The French government is angrier, and PSG has been received by Othman Nasrou, Secretary of State for Citizenship and Anti-Discrimination. According to RMC Sport, this has resulted in sanctions.
“ access to the Parc des Princes outside match days will be forbidden to the Collectif Ultras Paris”.
“According to our information, it has been decided that, from now on, access to the Parc des Princes outside match days will be forbidden to the Collectif Ultras Paris for an unspecified period of time. This was an idea that had occurred to the club’s management very soon after the match, and had already been taken on board in the past.
” Reflection on a tifo-free period
PSG will be considering the introduction of a tifo control procedure to guarantee the absence of political messages in the stadium. Discussions within the club are expected to begin shortly. A tifo-free period for the Tribune Auteuil could also be considered, although no details have yet been given.
The Ministry has also urged PSG to make concrete progress on the issue of commercial stadium bans for individual cases it has identified.”
We really don’t want to get involved in political debates, that’s not our business. We can only regret that a banner with the message “ Free Palestine. War on the pitch, but peace in the world” can lead to so much anger and action, while insults and violence continue in other stadiums. But when it’s at the Parc des Princes, it’s always a little more important to act.
It remains to be seen what the reaction will be from the Collectif Ultras Paris, who may not be pleased at a time when the link with the club already seems to be weakening.
