The Minister of the Interior wants to hold the Parisian club accountable after the tifo in support of Palestine deployed during the Champions League match against Atlético de Madrid.
Published on 07/11/2024 15:24 Updated on 07/11/2024 16:20
Reading time: 4min The tifo deployed by the Parisian ultras during the Champions League match between PSG and Atlético Madrid, on November 6, 2024, at the Parc des Princes. (FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
“This tifo had no place in this stadium.” The Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, condemned, Thursday, November 7, the social networkthe message of support for Gaza deployed Wednesday evening by Paris Saint-Germain supporters at the Parc des Princes before the Champions League match, lost 2-1 against Atlético de Madrid. The president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, and the general director of PSG, Victoriano Melero, are also summoned to Place Beauvau on Friday, announced the office of the Secretary of State in charge of Citizenship and the Fight against discrimination
The tifo in question, deployed by the Collectif ultras Paris (CUP) in the Auteuil stand, displayed the message “Free Palestine” surrounded by the colors of PSG, a bloody Palestinian flag, a flag of Lebanon, Jerusalem, tanks or a person wearing a keffiyeh. The “i” in the word Palestine was also redrawn in the shape of Israel, covered with a keffiyeh. The huge canvas was accompanied by a banner “War on the ground, but peace in the world”.
“Such messages are also prohibited by the regulations of the League and UEFA. If this were to be repeated, it will be necessary to consider banning tifos for clubs which do not enforce the rules”assured the Minister of the Interior. “I will demand accountability” at the club, he pressed again South Radioensuring that management should be able to prohibit this type of banner. In the opposite case, “there will be sanctions”he promises.
Large tifo deployed in the Auteuil bend. “Free Palestine: war on the ground, but peace in the world” #PSGATM pic.twitter.com/egP1Z8CwDl
— Andréa LaPerna (@A_LaPerna) November 6, 2024
In a press release sent to AFP on Wednesday evening, Paris Saint-Germain assured that it “was not aware of the plan to display such a message”. The Parisian club also recalled that the Parc des Princes “is and must remain a place of communion around a common passion for football and firmly opposes any message of a political nature in its stadium”.
If the display of the banner took place during a European match, it would also have caused a reaction in the context of a Ligue 1 match. The LFP regulations provide for the ban on access to stadiums for people “in possession of banners, insignia, badges, leaflets or any other support whose purpose is to be seen by third parties for political, ideological, philosophical, offensive or commercial purposes or in particular of a racist or xenophobic nature”.
UEFA quickly made it known on Thursday morning that it would not initiate any proceedings against the Parisian club for this pro-Palestinian message. “There will be no disciplinary case since the banner displayed cannot be considered provocative or insulting in this specific case”his spokesperson told AFP. The body therefore does not ban all political proclamations from speakers, but only those deemed provocative or offensive.
Not all clubs were entitled to the same leniency. Thus, the Scottish club Celtic Glasgow was fined 17,500 euros in the fall of 2023, recalls l’agence Associated Pressbecause its supporters had brandished hundreds of Palestinian flags, including the red and white one of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, during a match, already, against Atlético de Madrid. A judged message “provocative of an offensive nature”UEFA ruled.
Political Tifos & Football: A Match Made in Controversy
Ah, football! The beautiful game where grown men chase after a ball, and occasionally, everyone forgets that they’re not actually the star of the match. And yet, here we are, diving headfirst into a fiery controversy involving Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and a tifo that has sent temperatures soaring higher than an over-enthusiastic ref’s red card.
On November 6, 2024, during a Champions League match against Atlético de Madrid—a nail-biting encounter that PSG lost 2-1—supporters of the Parisian club unveiled a massive tifo displaying the message “Free Palestine.” Now, in case you missed it, this wasn’t just a standard cheer; it was a full-on social statement dressed up in PSG colors, with imagery that would make a landscape artist weep. Think tanks, flags, and a keffiyeh-wearing figure, all wrapped up in a banner proclaiming, “War on the ground, but peace in the world.” Quite the conversation starter, isn’t it?
But this display did not sit well with the powers that be—namely, Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau, who declared that this tifo “had no place” at the Parc des Princes. Well, let’s be honest, Bruno, if I had a euro for every time someone said “that has no place here” at a football match, I might actually be able to sponsor a struggling football club myself. Retailleau vowed to hold PSG accountable—presumably while also checking to see if the referee has a few extra tricks up his sleeve.
“If this were to be repeated, it will be necessary to consider banning tifos for clubs which do not enforce the rules,” the Minister asserted—as if banning artistic expression at football matches is the answer to all our problems. What’s next? No more goal celebrations? No more “You’ll Never Walk Alone”? A tifo for the tifo-less? I can see it now: “No More Tifos, Just Give Us Goals!”
In classic footballing fashion, PSG responded like a player caught offside: “Oh, we had no idea this was happening!” They insist they oppose political messages in their stadium. Because nothing says “we love football” like denying what happens in your own backyard. Meanwhile, the League and UEFA embroil themselves in the usual bureaucratic quagmire, banning displays that stray into political territory. Kind of makes you wonder what happened to the spirit of the game—that magical feeling of togetherness we all cherished back when the biggest controversy was whether a player’s haircut was a fashion statement or proof of midlife crisis.
Speaking of UEFA, they’ve decided to give PSG a pass this round. Unlike Celtic Glasgow, who faced a hefty fine for similar displays in 2023, UEFA acted like a forgiving coach saying, “You played well today, but do better next time.” So, apparently, there are scales of provocation here—some teams can wave their Palestinian flags, while others get slapped with a fine faster than a player can roll around on the pitch post-foul.
The Bigger Picture: What Does This All Mean?
Let’s not kid ourselves; this isn’t just a football match. This is a microcosm of society grappling with freedom of expression, political issues, and the role of sport as a platform for major messages. One man’s politics is another man’s bad call. And while we can appreciate the passion behind the tifos, we also have to navigate through a convoluted world where politics and passion clash like footballers in a decisive penalty shootout. A screamer from outside the box, if you will.
So, as we look deep into our crystal footballs, we can only ponder one question: Will the tifos keep rolling, or will they face the ultimate red card? I’d say, grab your popcorn, folks! This match of politics versus sport promises to be quite the entertaining draw.
The Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, has announced his intention to hold Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) accountable for the controversial tifo displayed by its supporters during a recent Champions League match against Atlético de Madrid.
On November 6, 2024, amidst a backdrop of high tensions and political sentiment surrounding the ongoing situation in Gaza, the tifo was unfurled by the Collectif ultras Paris (CUP) in the Auteuil stand of the Parc des Princes. This prominent display featured the stark message “Free Palestine,” intermingled with the club’s colors, as well as visuals of a blood-soaked Palestinian flag, a Lebanese flag, tanks, and imagery often associated with the Palestinian struggle.
Retailleau expressed his disapproval, emphasizing that “this tifo had no place in this stadium.” His condemnation reverberated across social media platforms, where he stressed that such political messages contravene the established regulations of both the French League and UEFA. In a firm stance, he warned, “If this were to be repeated, it will be necessary to consider banning tifos for clubs which do not enforce the rules.” He reiterated his commitment to demand accountability from the club’s management on this issue.
In a notable response to the incident, UEFA clarified its position, confirming on Thursday morning that no disciplinary action would ensue against PSG for the tifo, as the displayed message was deemed non-provocative. However, the governing body underscored that it maintains a stringent policy against flags and banners perceived as offensive or inflammatory, differentiating this instance from previous cases.
In a press release, PSG maintained that it “was not aware of the plan to display such a message,” further asserting that the Parc des Princes should remain a spirited venue for football, devoid of political overtones. This incident illuminates a broader concern about the intersection of sports and political expression, particularly as it relates to international conflicts.
The current situation stands in contrast to previous actions taken by UEFA, such as the 17,500 euro fine imposed on Celtic Glasgow for similar displays of Palestinian solidarity, underscoring the selective nature of enforcement in contemporary football. As politics and sport continue to intertwine, the forthcoming discussions among club leadership and government officials promise to spark further debate on the role of political expression in public arenas.
T such displays should not be part of the sporting environment. He stated, “If this were to be repeated, it will be necessary to consider banning tifos for clubs which do not enforce the rules,” reflecting a broader apprehension among officials regarding the intersection of sports and political messages.
The incident puts the spotlight on the complex dynamics of modern football, where supporters often unleash powerful messages that resonate with ongoing global issues. In this case, the pro-Palestinian banner served as a poignant reminder of the current turmoil in Gaza, stirring emotions both within the stadium and beyond. Reactions have been mixed, with some praising the expression of solidarity while others view it as an inappropriate intrusion into the realm of sport.
PSG’s management found itself in a difficult position. They issued a statement expressing their surprise, declaring that they were not aware of the planned display and reiterating that they oppose political statements in the stadium. This stance could be seen as an attempt to distance the club from the social implications of the tifo while navigating the rules set forth by both Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) and UEFA concerning political messages in football.
In the aftermath, UEFA decided not to pursue disciplinary action against PSG, signaling a potential leniency towards this type of expression. Their spokesperson explained that the message displayed could not be considered provocative or insulting in this context, leaving open questions about its implications for future displays of a political nature.
Meanwhile, Celtic Glasgow’s hefty fine for similar displays in 2023 highlights inconsistencies in enforcement across clubs and leagues. The disparity raises concerns about how UEFA determines which messages are deemed inappropriate and which are allowed, thus highlighting a potentially flawed system of policing political expressions within sport.
As debates around the role of politics in football continue, it remains essential for clubs and governing bodies to carefully consider how to maintain the integrity of their events while also recognizing the voice of supporters. In a world increasingly shaped by political discourse, striking the right balance will be crucial for preserving both the spirit of the game and the broader significance of such expressions. Ultimately, football, like society, is evolving, and the challenges it faces are reflective of deeper, ongoing dialogues surrounding freedom of speech, unity, and responsibility in the face of global crises.
As the sporting community watches closely, one thing is evident: the future of tifos and political messages in football remains a contentious and captivating arena of discussion.
