Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will not face any disciplinary action from UEFA after fans displayed a massive ‘Free Palestine’ banner before Wednesday’s high-stakes Champions League game against Atletico Madrid. The 50×20-meter banner, showcased in the Auteuil Kop section at Parc des Princes, stirred reactions across France, drawing criticism from Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
While UEFA traditionally bans “provocative” or “insulting” political messages in stadiums, the European soccer body announced on Thursday that PSG would not be sanctioned. “There will… be no disciplinary case because the banner that was unfurled cannot be in this case considered provocative or insulting,” a UEFA spokesperson stated, acknowledging the uproar yet affirming the decision.
Last year, Scottish club Celtic faced a 17,500-euro fine for similar actions when fans displayed Palestinian flags at a Champions League match. The decision to exempt PSG from penalties is seen as a notable shift, as past instances have usually led to sanctions.
The banner’s appearance comes just over a week before France is set to host Israel in a Nations League clash at Stade de France, where heightened security is anticipated. France, home to Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim communities, faces scrutiny on public safety measures amid rising tensions. Meanwhile, Israel’s recent matches against Italy and Belgium have witnessed heightened security protocols, reflecting the challenges surrounding such high-profile games.
The banner also intersects with broader global concerns, as ongoing violence in Gaza has reportedly led to over 43,400 Palestinian fatalities since October 7, 2023, per Gaza health ministry figures. The conflict escalated following Hamas-led attacks that resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties, Israeli sources say.