The 12 major controversies of the PSG season
Paris Saint-Germain has had a season punctuated by crises of all kinds.
Mbappé/Neymar Penaltygate
On August 13, 2022, on the occasion of the second day of Ligue 1, PSG won by a wide margin (5-2) against Montpellier. During this meeting, a fault by a Hérault defender offers a penalty to the club of the capital. Neymar grabs the ball to go kick it, while Kylian Mbappé tries to dissuade him so he can shoot it in his place. In vain. After the game, the Brazilian international “like” several messages from Internet users on Twitter claiming that he hits penalties better than his French teammate. The next day, Christophe Galtier and Luis Campos reunite the two stars. They remind them that their behavior must at no time hinder the performance of the team.
Galtier and the “sailing tank”
On the sidelines of a match in Nantes, Christophe Galtier holds a press conference on September 5, 2022. Asked about PSG’s plane trip to Loire-Atlantique, he quips by explaining that his team is thinking about traveling “by chariot at sail “. On social networks, the controversy swells quickly. The Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, challenges him: “Mr. Galtier, you have accustomed us to more relevant and more responsible answers – are we talking about it? “.
Mbappé’s #pivotgang
“Draw, meeting on Tuesday, #icicestparis #pivotgang. Here is the message that Kylian Mbappé posted on October 9, 2022, after a draw (0-0) against Reims. A direct allusion to his positioning within the offensive animation of the team, namely at the forefront of the attack. “I have a lot more freedom (in the France team), the coach (Didier Deschamps) knows that there is a number 9 like Olive (Giroud), who occupies the defenses, and I can walk around, go in space, ask for the balls… In Paris, it’s different, there is not that, I am asked to do the pivot, ”he had previously declared, on September 22, after a match between France and Austria.
Kimpembe’s crisis for the position of vice-captain
During the round of 16 of the Coupe de France, against Pays de Cassel, Kylian Mbappé wears the captain’s armband, in the absence of Marquinhos. At the end of the match, Christophe Galtier explains that he decided “at the start of the season” that “Kylian should be the second captain”. Presnel Kimpembe, who was then treating an Achilles tendon injury, nevertheless assures that he was not made aware of a downgrading in the hierarchy of captains to the detriment of the native of Bondy. “I was not made aware of this decision, this is completely false. That said, I will always respect the decisions of the club, ”wrote the defender on Twitter.
The aborted transfer of Hakim Ziyech
In the last hours of the winter transfer window, PSG must be loaned the Moroccan Hakim Ziyech by Chelsea. But this transaction is rejected by the Professional Football League because of a contract sent too late. This administrative imbroglio then leaves PSG without a winter recruit, two weeks before the knockout stages of the Champions League against Bayern Munich. At the same time, Keylor Navas is loaned to England, at Nottingham Forrest.
Elimination by OM in the Coupe de France
On February 8, 2023, Olympique de Marseille defeated the capital club (2-1) in a volcanic Stade Vélodrome. At home, the Phocaeans had not achieved this type of performance against PSG since November 27, 2011 (3-0 in Ligue 1). Without Kylian Mbappé, injured, Christophe Galtier’s men were overwhelmed in intensity. One week before their round of 16 first leg of the Champions League against Bayern Munich, the Red and Blue are a little more in doubt.
Hakimi indicted for rape
On February 26, a young woman presented herself at the Nogent-sur-Marne police station, claiming to have been raped by Achraf Hakimi. Five days later, the Moroccan defender is heard by the investigators of the Territorial Security of Hauts-de-Seine, then indicted. Placed under judicial supervision, the right side cannot come into contact with his accuser. He is, however, authorized to leave French territory. The same day, Christophe Galtier refused to comment on this information during the press conference on the eve of the match against Nantes.
Elimination in the Champions League
New disaster in C1, with an elimination in the round of 16. Beaten (0-1) on the way to the Parc des Princes, PSG failed to reverse the trend on the return and lost (2-0) on the lawn of Bayern Munich on May 9. The Ile-de-France club nevertheless had the opportunities to return to the game and even consider qualifying. “If we are only champions, is it a bad season? The big regret is that we are not beaten with all our strength in this double confrontation, ”reacts Christophe Galtier after the meeting. His days on the Paris bench are now numbered.
Mbappé castigates the new subscription campaign
The club unveils its subscription advertising campaign for the 2023-2024 season on April 6. In this one minute and thirty second video, Kylian Mbappé is at the center of the advertising campaign. Obviously, the attacker was not aware that the interview he was the subject of had this objective. On social networks, the native of Bondy expresses his dissatisfaction. “At no time was I informed of the content of the interview with my interlocutor. It looked like a basic interview at a club marketing day. I disagree with this posted video. That’s why I fight for individual image rights. PSG is a big club and a big family, but it is certainly not Kylian Saint-Germain, ”he wrote.
Galtier accused of racism
On April 12, the independent journalist Romain Molina and the media RMC Sports report the existence of an email written at the end of last season by the former director of OGC Nice Julien Fournier. In this email, the latter reports comments deemed discriminatory by Christophe Galtier towards part of the Nice locker room. “Given the seriousness of the charges against him, which he disputes with the greatest firmness, Christophe Galtier immediately contacted his lawyer, Maître Olivier Martin, to initiate, without delay, the necessary legal proceedings which are necessary and this especially since since this disclosure, he has been the subject of intolerable threats and acts of harassment, ”reacts the lawyer for the Parisian coach in a press release.
Messi leaves for Saudi Arabia without permission
After a defeat against Lorient (1-3), the Argentinian striker went to Saudi Arabia on May 1, without notifying his management. A long-planned trip according to Lionel Messi who is leaving with his whole family for the country of which he is ambassador. According to his clan, the Albiceleste international had already canceled this promotional event twice and could not withdraw a third time. PSG opens disciplinary proceedings against the world champion, who will be suspended for several days.
Neymar attacked by supporters outside his home
Dozens of supporters demonstrate in front of the Brazilian’s home to insult him, after a rally in front of the club’s headquarters on the evening of April 3. “Neymar break up! Neymar break up! “Scream the supporters in front of the big house of the player, in Bougival (Yvelines). Neymar also confirms their presence in two comments written on Instagram. “They went home,” he said in a first message in response to a publication from the Brazilian media TNT Sports. “They have just left the front door”, then specifies the former Barcelonan.