PSG Sanctions Its Supporters!

By: Sarah | March 2nd, 2010

PSG Leproux sanctions fans

After the violence that occured this weekend during the Classico between Paris and OM- between the PSG fans and…other PSG fans (OM fans boycotted the game)- the Parisian club has taken the surprising move of sanctioning its own supporters. Robin Leproux, the President of PSG, had the following to say on the subject,

“We will not sell more tickets to our supporters for our away games…And finally, the premises made available to associations at the Parc des Princes will be closed. “

Besides these measures, Robin Leproux also called to assist the government and football players.

“The images of a man lying in his blood at the foot of the Parc des Princes ran through my head the past two nights. A new height of violence has been reached, a new line of urban guerrilla warfare. Groups of individuals, controlled by supporters’ associations are come into battle with unprecedented violence. I wonder how we are expected to handle this? Today a man is between life and death. PSG has a responsibility in the stadium. We have the most important (note: biggest) security budget in Ligue 1, but outside the stadium, PSG can not do it alone. We must take these people out of the game- and all groups who work alongside the GMP, the media, politicians, police, everyone must contribute to reducing the violence. ” [Credit: France Football; please note direct translation modified for readability]

My Thoughts

First, I applaud Leproux for being brave enough to make this decision- he could have waited for the league to do the same thing (and thus make themselves the villian), but by taking this on himself perhaps the club will avoid costly fines and harsher punishment. I have a lot of respect for Leproux for taking action- and I hope the club and its supporters stand by him (at least he isn’t like some President’s who act as if they are boycotting to be in solidarity with their fans…only to hide that he is missing the biggest game of the year to go skiing!).

But, second, and perhaps more importantly, how horrible that a few people or groups ruin it for everyone else?

I do think that PSG have done all they could to prevent violence- but they only have so much control and power. Clearly, the reason the fans are violent have nothing to do with football- as I said before when I recounted my top 10 moments of the decade (moment #5)- the games just represent an opportunity for some people to express their frustration with more structural and widespread social tension in France.

I look forward to hearing the PSG fan perspective on this issue- for more PSG news, check out The Offside-PSG blog.