French minister criticises PSG fans’ ‘Free Palestine’ banner, club to escape Uefa sanctions
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PSG will not face disciplinary proceedings as it only bans political messages deemed insulting or provocative.
PHOTO: REUTERS
PARIS – French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau on Nov 7 criticised the unfurling of a giant “Free Palestine” banner at a Paris Saint-Germain match at the Parc des Princes, saying it was “unacceptable”.
However, European football governing body Uefa said the club would not face sanctions.
Retailleau, asked if he would seek sanctions against PSG, told Sud Radio: “I am not ruling out anything. I will demand explanations from PSG.”
On Nov 6, fans from PSG’s hardline Auteuil Kop group displayed a huge “Free Palestine” banner before their Champions League game against Atletico Madrid, eight days before France play Israel in Paris in a Nations League game.
Their action took place as Israel pressed on with a military offensive in Gaza that has killed about 43,400 Palestinians since Oct 7, 2023, according to Gaza health ministry figures. The conflict broke out after Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people.
Israel has also carried out deadly raids in the occupied West Bank.
Qatar-owned PSG said after the game, which the hosts lost 2-1, that the club had not been made 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 football and firmly opposes any message of a political nature in its stadium,” the club said in a statement.
Minister Retailleau said: “Of course the club president is responsible. I want to know how this tarpaulin arrived, how it was deployed.”
Uefa told Reuters on Nov 7 that PSG will not face disciplinary proceedings as it only bans political messages deemed insulting or provocative.
“There will therefore be no disciplinary case because the banner that was unfurled cannot be in this case be considered provocative or insulting in that precise case,” a Uefa spokesperson said.
Last year, the Scottish club Celtic were fined €17,500 (S$25,000) for fans’ waving Palestinian flags at a Champions League match.
Questions have been raised about security surrounding the France v Israel Nations League game on Nov 17 in a country that has the largest Jewish community in Europe as well as its biggest population of Muslims. REUTERS
