The football world was thrown into a frenzy when PSG Community, a prominent media outlet with over 400,000 followers, announced on June 22nd that Kylian Mbappé, the young French superstar, would be transferring to Real Madrid. The news quickly went viral, reaching an astounding 80 million people worldwide. However, as the transfer window drew to a close on September 1st, PSG Community finally admitted that Mbappé would be staying with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for the upcoming season. This revelation left fans and pundits alike questioning the credibility of the media outlet and the motives behind their controversial announcement.
In a late-night Space session on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), PSG Community’s founder, Miloud Kotbi, addressed the accusations that the announcement was a ploy to gain attention and promote their website. Kotbi vehemently denied these claims, stating that they had worked diligently to verify their sources and information.
“People think we sat around a table and said we were going to lie and create a story on Twitter and make money. We’re not in that. We worked on the thing. We cross-checked our information, we had sources. We knew it was a big deal, because there are a lot at stake around Kylian. Our credibility (sic) is at stake. Until the end, our sources confirmed the information,” explained the founder of PSG Community, without completely convincing his interlocutors.
On ne le dira jamais assez mais un grand merci à Mytho Community et à ses amis. On s’est bien marré grâce à vous tout l’été ! Ça valait bien un petit clip hommage 🎥
Ce sera mon dernier tweet sur ce sujet. En attendant le prochain #Mercato 😉#PSG #Mbappé #PSGCommunity pic.twitter.com/OrxDKASBTk
— Nicolas Puiravau (@nikop17) September 2, 2023
However, his explanations failed to completely convince their audience, who were seeking answers about a mysterious document that had been mentioned during the initial announcement.
The document, allegedly supporting the claim that Mbappé was destined for Real Madrid, became a focal point of the discussion. Max Miotto, the editor-in-chief of PSG Community, clarified that while the communication department had seen the document, the editorial team had not. This revelation only added fuel to the fire, as fans and critics questioned the media outlet’s journalistic integrity and the accuracy of their reporting.
As the Space session continued, the issue of financial gain from the false announcement was raised. Some PSG supporters suggested that the money generated from the viral tweet should be donated to a charitable organization as a form of apology. However, PSG Community representatives dismissed these claims, stating that the financial impact was minimal, amounting to “between 0 and 1,500 euros” on Twitter. This response further fueled the frustration of their audience, who believed that the media outlet had taken advantage of Mbappé’s name for personal gain.
The fallout from this controversy has not been without consequences. Paris Saint-Germain has decided to revoke PSG Community’s access to the training center and the iconic Parc des Princes stadium, effectively distancing themselves from the media outlet. This move highlights the severity of the situation and the club’s commitment to maintaining their reputation and protecting their players.
The Mbappé transfer saga serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the power and influence of social media in the world of sports. It also raises important questions about the responsibility of media outlets and the need for accurate, verified information. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining journalistic integrity, even in the face of intense competition and the desire for online engagement.
The Mbappé transfer saga orchestrated by PSG Community has left a lasting impact on both the footballing community and the media landscape. The controversy surrounding their false announcement has shed light on the challenges of navigating the digital age, where misinformation and sensationalism can easily overshadow the truth. Moving forward, it is essential for media outlets to prioritize accuracy, transparency, and ethical reporting to rebuild trust with their audience and ensure the integrity of the sports industry.
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