This time it went too far. A new milestone was reached on Wednesday evening in the deterioration of relations between PSG, its players and a minority of supporters whose discontent and stupidity led them to go to Neymar’s home to express their fed up and claim his departure.
Rarely, in the recent history of the capital club, has the anger of Parisian fans been exported to a player’s door and into the realm of private life. An attitude judged at the club as outside, “intolerable”, “unacceptable” and “hostile”. Decryption of a sequence which could leave traces.
What happened ?
It is around 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening when the group of around a hundred people arrives at the player’s home in Bougival (Yvelines). The demonstration organized by the Collectif Ultras Paris (CUP) in front of the headquarters of PSG has just ended for an hour. The instructions given by the megaphone by the leaders of the group are clear, asking everyone to disperse calmly and go home.
A directive that some fans will not follow, determined to organize an action even more virulent and stronger than that put in place by the CUP. This small group wants to “mark the spirits” and chooses to go in front of the house of Neymar, one of the symbols of the loss of identity of the PSG in their eyes. Among the protesters, there are several members of the CUP, while the collective has dissociated itself from this initiative.
The gathering lasts a few minutes, the time for the individuals to chant hostile chants “Neymar, break up” in front of his gate before scattering in peace. The police intervened to put an end to the spontaneous gathering. “There was no degradation or scuffles,” she said.
“He did not feel threatened once,” said a witness on the spot. As soon as we arrived, we were taken care of. There were a few chants and it settled down like that. There was no intrusion attempt. There was no intention to hurt him or hit him. It was just a way of making him understand our dissatisfaction and that he realizes that we no longer want him in Paris. »
Luc Watelle, mayor of Bougival, is scandalized: “What happened is lamentable. I do not understand that football turns into a settling of accounts anywhere other than on a playing field.
How did the club react?
The reaction of the leaders of PSG was not long in coming with the publication of a press release on Wednesday shortly before midnight. The club strongly condemned the hostile attitude of this group of supporters, while supporting the playmaker, who appreciated the club’s rapid intervention. “The club gives its full support to its players, its management and to all those affected by these shameful behaviors. »
Faced with this threat, the club has decided to strengthen security measures in front of its training center and the homes of the players targeted by the hostile chants of supporters: Neymar, Lionel Messi and Marco Verratti.
Neymar and PSG will not file a complaint, as no damage has taken place in front of the Brazilian’s home. No stadium ban will be pronounced against the supporters gathered in Bougival either, even if the majority of the ultras present on the spot have been identified by the club, which is always very vigilant on the question of its supporters.
What do other fans think?
Overall, this anger expressed in front of the player’s home by a small fringe of supporters, not representative of all Parisian fans, was particularly badly perceived. Few identified with this action encroaching on the private life of the Brazilian and whose wife, present at home that evening, is pregnant.
The president of the Collectif Ultras Paris, Romain Mabille, condemned this gathering and rejected any responsibility. “I do not condone what happened, confides Romain Mabille. This is not an action of the CUP. The band does not claim this, and is not the origin of all this. It was avoidable, that’s for sure. »
He continues: “Going down to Neymar’s is not the best idea. It sucks. This discredits the action that the CUP set up just before at the club’s headquarters. We ask everyone not to fall into violence, we want to send real messages and that ruins everything. Personally, I regret what happened. I’m sorry that people only remember this. »
Other regulars at the Parc des Princes also regret that this dispute focuses on Neymar alone and that it develops outside the sporting context. “That protest movements are organized at the Camp des Loges, at the club’s headquarters, at the Parc des Princes, it is completely normal. But that some come to go in front of the house of a player… It goes too far, ”continues another member of the CUP.
“But we are talking about a minority of fans and we should not make the mistake of putting everyone in the same bag. I’m not sure that this type of action serves the cause of PSG, its supporters and its lovers…”
