PSG lashes out at L'Equipe over Financial Fair Play
The bosses of Paris Saint-Germain only like the press when they are applauding the decisions coming out of the Parc des Princes. They only have time for journalists who see the PSG glass half full and never bother themselves writing negatively about the club. Amidst the sensitive subjects PSG would prefer not to be covered, none causes more anger and impatience than the Financial Fair Play (FFP) problem the French giants are facing. To the point where PSG executives have started a campaign of brutal open warfare against French newspaper L'Equipe.
PSG criticise L'Equipe
On 7 December the sports newspaper revealed that, according to internal sources at the Parisian outfit, PSG were evaluating the possibility of losing one of their two stars, Neymar and Mbappé, were UEFA to sanction them over FFP. PSG responded immediately, publishing an aggressive statement, accusing L'Equipe of, among other things, "creating a climate of hate" and wanting to "damage the image of the club". The communiqué from the club provoked a hail of abuse against the newspaper on social media.
PSG continue to attack L'Equipe
Three days later, the PSG media department banned L'Equipe reporters from asking questions in the press conference ahead of the match against Liverpool in the Champions League. Since then the attacks by the club on the newspaper have only got worse. PSG have banned the L'Equipe journalists who cover the team day-to-day from entering the training facilities on a number of occasions. An act of contempt for the freedom of the press, which led, five days ago, to various national newspapers in France signing a letter in support of L'Equipe and which expressly requests that PSG bosses allow the journalists "to do their job normally".
The situation between the club, L'Equipe and now the rest of the French press is close to breaking point - which only goes to show just how scared PSG are of UEFA's decision.