Kickoff for Controversy: PSG’s ‘Free Palestine’ Banner Ignites Firestorm in Paris

On Thursday, French Interior Minister Bruno Ritayo criticized Paris Saint-Germain fans for raising a huge banner in solidarity with Palestine and Lebanon, during their match yesterday Wednesday, with the Spanish club Atlético Madrid, in the European Champions League and 8 days. Before the France vs Israel Nations League match in Paris.

Before kick-off at the Parc des Princes stadium, supporters of French club Paris Saint-Germain held up a huge banner expressing their support for the Palestinians and bearing the phrase “Free Palestine” as well as a picture of a child. On the Lebanese flag, another message of support for the country that is suffering from Israeli aggression.

Solidarity activists also raised a banner that read: “War in the field, but peace in the world.”

During the match, fans raised another message that said: “Is the life of one child in Gaza worth less than the life of another child?”

“Unacceptable Behavior”

The French minister considered the actions of the club’s supporters “unacceptable”, as he put it.

Asked whether he would seek to impose a ban on the Paris club, Retayo said in a radio statement on Thursday: “I will not say anything to Paris Saint-Germain for clarification.”

Minister Tweet at “X” website: The banner “had no place on the pitch, and such messages are also prohibited under league and UEFA regulations.”

He indicated that he would consider “banning giant banners for clubs that don’t implement the rules”.

For its part, Paris Saint-Germain said in a statement that it was not aware of “any plans to display such banners”.

“The club strongly opposes any message of a political nature in its stadium,” he added in a statement.

It is worth noting that the match ended with Paris Saint-Germain losing by two goals to one.

Last year, Celtic were fined 17,500 euros ($18,812) for waving a Palestinian flag in a Champions League match.