A giant banner reads “Free Palestine” is seen before the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Atletico Madrid at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo)
A “Free Palestine” banner which was unfurled by Paris Saint-Germain’s supporters during a UEFA Champions League match against La Liga side Atletico Madrid has sparked controversy. The banner has attracted the ire of French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who called it “unacceptable.”
The banner included a map depicting Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza in colors of the keffiyeh scarf, which has become a symbol of support for Palestinian people. The banner also had a character looking like a masked fighter, a tank and a Lebanon flag, reported the Associated Press.
The banner had the words Free Palestine emblazoned across it in bold letters. Under that, was the message: “War on the pitch, but peace in the world.”
The message was a reference to the ongoing war in the Middle East with Israel attacking Gaza for the past year.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau reportedly told Sud Radio he will demand an explanation from PSG. The club is owned by Qatar Sports Investments since 2011. Retailleau did not rule out any action against the club for allowing the fans to display what has been deemed a political statement.
“This is unacceptable. UEFA rules forbid political messages, and it is a political message,” Retailleau thundered.
There was also outrage in France from Jewish groups. Yonathan Arfi, the president of the Representative Council of the French Jewish institutions, branded the banner as “scandalous.”
“A map where the state of Israel no longer exists. A masked Palestinian fighter. This is not a message of peace but a call to hatred. The perpetrators of this banner must be punished! Intolerable!” Arfi wrote on X.
The incident comes at a tense time. The French national team hosts Israel on November 14 in the Nations League. Pro-Palestinian supporters had recently protested at the French Football Federation to demand that the game be cancelled. French authorities confirmed last month that the match would go ahead with fans allowed in the stadium.
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