French Interior Minister Wants Explanation From PSG For ‘Free Palestine’ Banner

A giant “Free Palestine” banner unvelied at Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League match against Atletico Mrid was “unacceptable,” French Interior Minister Bru Retailleau said on Thursday.

banner unfurled by PSG fans on Wednesday night featured a drawing of a map including Israel, West Bank and Gaza in colors of Palestinian keffiyeh scarf, which has become a symbol of support for Palestinian people.

Also on banner were a character looking like a masked fighter, a tank and a Leban flag.

"War on pitch, but peace in world,” a mess re below banner.

Asked wher club should be punished, Retailleau told Sud Rio he does t rule out anything and will ask for explanations from PSG , which has been owned by Qatar Sports Investments since 2011.

“This is unacceptable,” Retailleau said. “UEFA rules forbid political messs, and it is a political mess.”

Yonathan Arfi, president of Representative Council of French Jewish institutions said banner was “scandalous.”

“A map where state of Israel longer exists. A masked Palestinian fighter. This is t a mess of peace but a call to hatred,” he wrote on X. “ perpetrators of this banner must be punished! Intolerable!”

UEFA rules ban use of gestures, words, objects or any or means to transmit a provocative mess that is judged t fit for a sports event, particularly provocative messs that are of a political, ideological, religious or offensive nature. Financial penalties are typical for a first offense — 10,000 euros ($10,700) for a political banner or disturbances.

Retailleau also urged clubs to ensure politics “do t spoil sport, which must always remain a unifying force.” Writing on X, he said if such incidents happen again he would have to consider banning tifos of clubs which don't abide by rules.

incident came before France hosts Israel on v. 14 in Nations League. This week, pro-Palestinian supporters protested at French Football Federation to call for cancellation of game.

French authorities confirmed last month that match would go ahe with fans allowed in stium after Italy hosted Israel in same competition without incident despite security concerns.

match at Ste de France will be played against backdrop of ongoing conflict in Middle East which has spre to Leban after more than a year-long war in Gaza.