Ban for PSG stays says football body
Team will not compete in 2008-2009 Coupe de la Ligue after offensive banner incident at this year’s cup final.
A proposal for Paris SG football club to play matches without spectators instead of being banned from the 2008-2009 Coupe de la Ligue has been turned down.
The sporting body Conseil National Olympique Sportif Français (CNOSF) put forward the suggestion saying that the ban, which has already been upheld against two appeals, was ‘disproportionate’.
The Conseil Fédéral de la FFF banned the club from competing in the competition after fans at this year’s cup final against northern club Lens unfurled a banner saying “Pédophiles, chômeurs, consanguins : bienvenue chez les Ch’tis” – paedophilia, unemployment, incest- welcome to the Ch’tis – a reference to a popular film.
President Sarkozy, who was present at the match on March 30, ordered the banner to be removed by security.
CNOSF representatives Bernard Foucher and Dominique Rémy said the punishment was too severe for the club. “It is not fitting to the crime to penalise so heavily such a professional team, the whole club and its supporters.”
They had suggested that the club play up to six matches at the beginning of the season without any supporters present as an alternative punishment.
Photo:Stefkuh
