‘Free Palestine’ Banner at PSG Game Sparks Ministerial Outcry
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has condemned the display of a “Free Palestine” banner by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) fans during a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Retailleau expressed concern, stating the act was “unacceptable” and announced plans to seek explanations from PSG, noting he would not rule out potential sanctions against the club.
The banner was unfurled by the hard-line Auteuil Kop fan group at the Parc des Princes stadium, eight days before France is scheduled to play Israel in a Nations League match in Paris. The display coincided with ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza, which, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, have resulted in approximately 43,400 Palestinian deaths since October 7, following Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people.
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PSG, owned by Qatar, denied prior knowledge of the banner, emphasizing that their stadium should be focused solely on soccer and remain free of political statements. Retailleau questioned how the large banner was brought in and deployed.
UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, stated that PSG would not face disciplinary action as the banner did not violate their policy on political messages, which prohibits only those deemed insulting or provocative. A UEFA spokesperson explained, “There will therefore be no disciplinary case because the banner that was unfurled cannot be in this case be considered provocative or insulting.”
Security concerns have been raised about next week’s France-Israel match, given France’s significant Jewish and Muslim populations.
