At PSG headquarters, the interview with Luis Fernandez given to Le Parisien – Today in France on Monday went very badly. At all levels of the club, surprise quickly gave way to incomprehension, even deep disappointment. The former Parisian coach, European champion in 1996, dreamed of receiving his Legion of Honor on the lawn of the Parc des Princes. But after months of discussions and procrastination, he decided to organize the ceremony at the Paris City Hall on February 22.
In the interview he gave us, “Luis” does not hide his bitterness. The Parc des Princes, “it was the ideal place”, according to him. “This is where my story began with PSG and the French team. I imagined a stage to thank the public… But it seems that we shouldn’t touch the lawn… I waited several months and I stopped insisting. If they really wanted to, they would have done it. »
The excitement aroused by his declarations stunned the leaders. “The club had a real desire to welcome him as evidenced by the numerous discussions and meetings over the months,” we recall at PSG headquarters. President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi had indeed asked to take good care of him. Several dates were offered to him, he rejected them one by one. »
The only real sticking point concerned the platform that Luis Fernandez wanted to have installed on the pitch to receive his medal. A complaint refused by PSG which protects the pitch before each match. Concerning the seats in the boxes reserved for his guests, it seems that Luis Fernandez has omitted some details. “I was offered a lounge for 20 or 30 people, without access to the stand,” he lamented. My guests would therefore not have been able to attend the match. » Important correction from PSG: “In our last proposal, we offered to accommodate 20 people in the square (Editor’s note: the presidential stand) and 40 people in the Skybar”. The panoramic bar, located just under the roof of the Parc des Princes, is one of the most exclusive and comfortable places to watch a match.
He will receive a legends trophy before the end of the season
There were numerous exchanges until PSG learned of the recipient’s decision to organize his reception at City Hall. “Luis Fernandez is very important for the club and we did everything to welcome him with the honors due to his rank. The club has not stopped reaching out to him,” we assure from the side of the headquarters where one of his charges, in particular, is still not digested. “He says that at PSG, recognition of veterans does not exist, but it is quite the opposite,” explains a manager. Since the start of the season, we have invited 68 former players to the Park! This shows a fairly strong interest. » And regarding the blow to the Champions Trophy, it was indeed the club which submitted the name of Luis Fernandez to the League to present the medals at the end of the match.
The discord is real but, like any family quarrel, it will undoubtedly be short-lived. Luis Fernandez loves PSG too much and vice versa. Despite this unfortunate episode, the club still plans to present him with a Legends trophy before the end of the season. A small ceremony which will take place before a match… at the Parc des Princes.
