UEFA has made it clear that Champions League matches should not serve as a platform for the ongoing events in Israel and Palestine. Concerns are growing within PSG that the Ultras may break this rule during the match against Milan.
With France on high alert for terrorist attacks for the past two weeks, and considering the tragedy in Belgium last week before the match against Sweden, there will be an impressive deployment of security forces around Parc des Princes on Wednesday for the match between Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan. Not to mention the possible presence of Napoli supporters, invited by their Parisian counterparts. PSG’s management is particularly concerned about what might happen in the Auteuil Stand, which was closed last Saturday during the match against Strasbourg. It’s not that the Collectif Ultras Paris wants trouble, but there is a possibility that a strong message will be sent by the supporters as the war between Israel and Palestine rages on. In the past, Palestinian flags and messages of support have been displayed at Parc des Princes, and Nasser Al-Khelaifi knows that if this happens again on Wednesday, UEFA will show no mercy.
UEFA is keeping an eye on the Palestinian flags
Regardless of Qatar’s stance on these grave events, and it is known that the owner of PSG is not a friend of Israel, the Parisian leaders are aware that any political message will be repressed without hesitation by the Champions League organizer. Just hours before the Paris-Milan match, police sources cited in L’Equipe state that authorities believe “messages, banners, pro-Palestinian flags” could appear in the Auteuil Stand.
Hier soir face à Montpellier, les Ultras du #PSG 🇨🇵 Virage Auteuil ont déployé un gros drapeau Palestinien et une banderole en soutien à l’occupation de la Palestine 🇵🇸.
Ils ont également mis une banderole “On traîne en bande comme à Gaza”👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/gxRhPFcY94
— BLL Family 🗺️ (@BLLFamily) August 15, 2022
This is made easier by the fact that supporters can display Palestinian and Israeli flags in the streets without any problem. PSG experienced a similar incident just a year ago during the home match against Montpellier at Parc des Princes, where Palestinian flags and a support banner were displayed in the Auteuil Stand. If this happens again against AC Milan, there is no doubt that UEFA will heavily sanction Paris.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi fears this more than anything else, as the Qatari president of PSG wants to maintain excellent relations with UEFA, especially since he has become one of the key figures in global football. The Collectif Ultras Paris, which has called on its members to arrive early and more motivated than ever before this high-profile match, will be closely watched.
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