Planet soccer: tension between PSG and its Ultras

CF Montreal have had their run-ins with their Ultras, but it’s not a unique situation because relations are very strained between Paris Saint-Germain and their main group of supporters.

The Collectif Ultras Paris (CUP) announced last week that it was ceasing all activities at home and abroad until the end of the season.

It’s a decision that has serious consequences, because it doesn’t just affect the men’s soccer team. It also targets the women’s team as well as the handball team, a very popular sport in France.

There was a first exchange between the CUP and the club which did not ease the tensions.

The supporters particularly criticize the management for being indifferent to them. President Nasser al-Khelaïfi refuses to meet them to discuss their demands, which relate to a ticket resale system and the abandonment of the plan to buy the Stade de France.

Fracture

This fracture seems unlikely, since the CUP owes its presence at the Stade de France to Nasser al-Khelaïfi.

Indeed, seven years ago, it was he who insisted that the Collective be allowed to return to the Parc des Princes. According The Teamhe had gone out of his way with the Prefecture of Paris so that the Ultras were again authorized at the stadium.

These had been banned from the Stade de France following what has been called the Leproux plan, named after Robin Leproux, a former PSG president who served before the team was taken over for interests Qataris in 2011.

Leproux had undertaken, in 2010, to pacify the stadium, which was grappling with fights between rival clans which had led to the deaths of two supporters in 2006 and 2010. This situation almost led to the dissolution of the club.

So we’re back in 2016. It was at this point that al-Khelaïfi insisted that the Ultras return as the consolidated group that is Collectif Ultras Paris.

Hope

We are therefore at a crossroads now that the honeymoon has long been consumed between the president and the CUP.

But there is hope: there was a new meeting last Monday to try to break the deadlock. It appears that progress has been made in settling the dispute, which is a good thing when you consider that an entire section of the Stade de France was empty in the resounding 5-0 win over AC Ajaccio, A week ago. It fills an atmosphere.

It seems that the club have made promises on various topics, including handling the resale of tickets for big games.

The CUP accuses PSG of using the Ticketplace platform to resell the tickets. This would be conducive to raising the stakes for the most popular matches. The CUP, and its principal, the K-Soce Team, will consult to determine whether they accept the hand extended by the club’s management.

In the PSG camp, we want the Collectif Ultras Paris to be back at the Stade de France on June 3, when we celebrate the 11^e club’s Ligue 1 title.

KNOWN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINALISTS

The Champions League final will pit Inter Milan against Manchester City. Inter easily got rid of local rivals AC Milan 3-0 on aggregate, while the Cityzens also easily brushed aside Real Madrid 5-1 combined thanks to a 4-0 victory in the second leg in Manchester. The final will take place on June 10 in Istanbul, Turkey.

NEW OFFER FOR MAN U

Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani of Qatar has submitted a fourth bid to buy Manchester United. According to Sky Sports, it is about 8.4 billion dollars, still far from the 10.1 billion requested by the Glazer family, owner of the club. The offer would be for part of the club, leaving 20% ​​to the Glazers. It would also include writing off nearly $1.7 billion in debt and setting up a fund to redevelop Old Trafford stadium, its surroundings and training facility.

DAVID IN THE RACE

The National Union of Professional Footballers has unveiled the list of candidates for the title of Best Player in Ligue 1 and Ottawa’s Jonathan David, from LOSC Lille, is on it. He is in good company with Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi of PSG, as well as Seko Fofana and Loïs Openda of Racing Club de Lens. Mbappé is the current holder of the title. He won it three times.

BARÇA WILL DO EVERYTHING TO BRING MESSI BACK

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has indicated that Barça will do everything to repatriate Lionel Messi, whose contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires next month and will apparently not be renewed. It has to be said that supporters chanted the Pulga name during the club’s La Liga title celebrations in the last few days. Messi was in the bosom of Barça from 2000 to 2021 before taking the direction of Paris.

Matches to watch

MLS

CF Montreal vs. Red Bulls

After a great six-game winning streak, Montreal will be looking to get back on a good streak after stumbling in Cincinnati midweek.

PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal vs. Nottingham Forest

The Gunners are six points behind Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

PREMIER LEAGUE

chelsea vs. Manchester City

Chelsea continue to struggle while the Cityzens want to maintain their lead.

A-SERIES

bologna vs. Cremonese

Joey Saputo’s other club is trying to climb into the top 10 of Serie A and could make an interesting jump with a win coupled with a loss for the three clubs ahead of it, all of which have two more points.