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Today's Paper | March 18, 2026

Published 07 Nov, 2024 08:30pm

PSG ‘Free Palestine’ banner has no place in football: French minister

A gigantic banner proclaiming “Free Palestine” unfurled by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) supporters at a Champions League match has no place in a football stadium, France’s interior minister said, AFP reports.

“This banner had no place in this stadium,” right-wing Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau wrote on X. “I ask PSG to explain itself and the clubs to ensure that politics does not come to damage sport, which must always remain a source of unity,” he said.

“If this were to happen again, we will have to consider forbidding banners for clubs that do not enforce the rules,” he added.

In a later interview with Sud Radio, Retailleau made no attempt to hide his anger, saying the banner was “unacceptable”.

“I want to know more and now how this banner came to be unfurled. The Paris police chief (Laurent Nunez) explained what happened. We agreed on a certain number of things but I am demanding accountability,” he added.

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