Reuters, PARIS
French Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau yesterday criticized the unveiling of a giant ‘Free Palestine’ banner by fans at Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League match against Atletico Madrid a day earlier, saying it was “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.”
Fans from PSG’s Boulogne Kop unveiled a giant ‘Free Palestine’ banner before the game at Parc des Princes, eight days before France are to play Israel in Paris in a UEFA Nations League game.
People hold a banner reading “Free Palestine” ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid at Parc des Princes in Paris on Wednesday.
Photo: AFP
However, European soccer’s governing body UEFA said the club would not face sanctions, as it only bans political messages deemed insulting or provocative.
Qatar-owned PSG said after the game that it had not been made aware of any plans to display such a message.
On the field, Atletico Madrid scored in stoppage-time to seal a 2-1 win for the Spanish team.
