The pro-Palestinian banner displayed yesterday by the Paris Saint-Germain ultras continues to cause discussion in France and inevitably becomes a political case. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the initiative: “I ask PSG to explain themselves and the clubs to ensure that politics does not damage sport, which must always remain a source of unity. These messages are prohibited by the regulations of the League and UEFA”. The capital club, the transalpine media report, will be convened by the Ministry of the Interior: the general director Victoriano Melero will act as representative and will also be accompanied by the federal president Philippe Diallo.
There UEFA had instead decided not to take any legal action against the French club: “There will be no disciplinary action as the displayed banner cannot be considered provocative or offensive in this specific case”, a spokesperson declared toAFP.
What happened
Before the kick-off of PSG-Atletico, the Virage Auteuil ultras had unfurled an imposing banner with the message “Free Palestine”, around the red and blue colors of PSG, drawing a bloody Palestinian flag, the flag of Lebanon, of Jerusalem, tanks and a person wearing a keffiyeh. “War on the field but peace in the world”, it read. In a statement, the club said it was “not aware of any plans to display such a message” and was “firmly opposed to any political message in its stadium”.