PSG Hogs the Headlines

PSG has been all over the headlines this summer, with some high profile signings, the possible apointment of Lillian Thuram to their front office, arbitration for their being banned from the Coupe de la Ligue as well as having a drawn out transfer saga with one Jimmy Briand of Rennes. Here is the latest on the appeal for the Coupe de la Ligue campaign.

Of course we all remember PSG were banned from the 2008/2009 edition of the tournament after a section of their fans held up a banner during the Coupe final against Lens which said ‘Paedophiles, unemployed, inbreeding, welcome to the North’. (Distasteful to say the least).

Yesterday the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF) asked the FFF to reconsider the ban and called for PSG to be reinstated to the competition. The FFF dont like to be undermined, and have upheld the decision after an emergency meeting on this morning, rejecting outright CNOSF’s suggestion that PSG play a Ligue 1 match behind closed doors as an alternative punishment.

‘The Board have refused the proposal of replacing the ban on PSG from the Coupe de la Ligue 2008/09 with the obligation on the Parisian club to play behind closed doors a league match at the beginning of this season’, read a statement posted on the FFF website.

‘It considered that the punishment of a ban from the next Coupe de la Ligue, taking by the Disciplinary Commission of the LFP and confirmed by the Appeals Commission, constitutes an appropriate sanction to the specific nature and seriousness of the facts.

‘It equally considered that since these happened in the Coupe de la Ligue, it was logical and fitting that the punishment involved the Coupe de la Ligue and not French championship Ligue 1.’

So PSG will not play in the Coupe this year, unable to defend their title. I think its fair punishment, PSG must be held responsible for their radical fans, especially at a cup final like that. Up next, is the rather exhausting transfer saga that is Jimmy Briand. These words are from his own mouth:

‘I extended last summer so as not to stay with only one year on my contract and so it would allow the club to get some money from my departure,’ Briand told Le Parisien. ‘We had a deal.

‘By nature I’m an optimist. I hope everything will be sorted as soon as possible, even if the transfer market is open until August 31.’

‘I’m in the same frame of mind as I have been since I came back from holiday,’ he added. ‘And even if I am back in training with Rennes, I have already thought of myself as Parisian for many weeks now.

‘I’m a pro therefore I’ll do pre-season properly but I won’t play for Rennes anymore. That’s categorical. I’ve repeated that to the coach, the president and the sporting director.’

‘Because of the way in which all this has happened and the remarks made, I feel betrayed. From that point, I can’t give myself any more to a club that lied to me.

‘My words are strong because I’m not in the frame of mind to play here anymore.

‘I was disappointed when the directors told me they didn’t want to let me go anymore.

‘They knew last season that I would leave this summer, so it was up to them to anticipate it.’

‘Everyone needs to do some effort,’ he added. ‘In relation to their first offer, PSG have progressed.

‘Today, Rennes have dug their heels in a bit over the price. But I have good faith that everyone will revise their position.

‘If Rennes decide not to let me leave, I won’t leave. But I will fight until August 31 to go.

‘While waiting, I don’t want to play [for Rennes] or appear on a team-sheet.’

PSG is said to have increased their offer to 8.5 million euros, which Rennes is flatly refused. After the somewhat idiotic bargaining position of Maurice Cohen, president of Nice, over the Baky Kone transfer to Marseille, it looks like Rennes is following suit. They are asking for an amount that does not represent the price of the player, even with the agreed upon release of the player by Rennes management. Is Ligue fastly becoming the EPL, where small clubs hold bigger clubs randsom for players, only drive up the price when they look to buy players as well? Or is this the best way for the big clubs to compensate the smaller clubs, so that they stay economically viable and competitive on the field? A difficult question indeed…

Category: France Ligue 1

Tags: France Ligue 1

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