Despised when he entered the game on Wednesday against Maccabi Haifa, Achraf Hakimi responded in his own way to Israeli supporters.
Achraf Hakimi knew what to expect. During his two previous visits to Israel with PSG, on the occasion of the Champions Trophy organized in Tel Aviv, the Moroccan defender had indeed been copiously whistled at each of his ball shots. Consequence of its position in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While playing at Inter Milan, the Madrid native pledged his support for the Palestinian cause after clashes near the Gaza Strip. “#FreePalestine,” he wrote.
Achraf Hakimi was therefore not surprised to hear whistles coming down from the stands when he entered the game in the last minutes of the match. He was perhaps more surprised to start the meeting on the bench. A decision that has nothing to do with these whistles, according to Christophe Galtier. “Hakimi did not start simply because he had just played eight out of nine matches, not in relation to the environment or what happened at the Champions Trophy”thus confided the Parisian coach.
Prepared for these whistles, Achraf Hakimi made a small gesture to the public at the Sammy Ofer stadium. The former Milanese has indeed discreetly raised his fingers to his ear, seeming to draw two middle fingers to his critics. A reaction on which the Parisian side did not wish to return after the meeting but which did not go unnoticed.
