Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. and the PSG hierarchy confronted robust protests from the membership’s supporters on Wednesday, with followers calling for the board to resign as additionally they criticised “overrated gamers”.
PSG Ultras group Collectif Ultras Paris (CUP) organised the protest, which initially began on the membership’s headquarters in Boulogne. Round 400 supporters gathered, with flares lit and banners made to spotlight their dissatisfaction with the route of the membership.
One banner learn: “PSG, who’re you, the place are you going? Do you hear me?”
Chants had been made in opposition to gamers reminiscent of Messi, Neymar, and coach Christophe Galtier, whereas additionally they criticised president Nasser Al Khelaifi, whom the CUP has demanded to satisfy.
Elsewhere, a bunch of PSG followers stood exterior of Neymar’s home chanting and demanding he leaves the membership, regardless of the participant’s contract operating till the summer time of 2027 with the choice of an additional yr.
📸 PSG followers in entrance of Neymar’s home pic.twitter.com/wXgIOBNM6MMight 3, 2023
On account of the occasions, PSG has strengthened safety on the membership’s coaching floor, Camp des Loges, with gamers additionally receiving further safety exterior of their homes.
The protests comply with PSG suspending Messi for 2 weeks, after the Argentine took an unauthorised journey to Saudi Arabia. Supporters have jeered Messi and Neymar on the Parc des Princes on a variety of separate events this season, nevertheless, the CUP clarified the protests are associated to a wider problem on the membership.
In a press release launched on Wednesday, the CUP criticised “recruitment with out a world imaginative and prescient”, the signings of “overrated gamers” and “mercenaries” and excessive ticket costs. Clearly disgruntled with the route of the membership, the assertion additionally refers back to the membership probably shifting away from the Parc des Princes sooner or later, whereas suggesting soccer, not business enlargement, ought to be the homeowners’ focus.
“QIF (Qatar Funding Fund) you have got bought a soccer membership… play soccer!”
The membership has condemned the actions of the supporters since.
“Paris Saint-Germain most strongly condemns the insupportable and insulting actions of a small group of people that happened on Wednesday,” a membership assertion learn.
“Regardless of the variations of opinion, nothing justifies such actions.
“The membership provides its full assist to its gamers, its workers and all these focused by such shameful behaviour.”
