February 16 – Paris St-Germain’s preparations for tonight’s Champions League clash with Chelsea have been rocked by an internal spat between coach Laurent Blanc and one of his own players.
Ivory Coast defender Serge Aurier has been suspended indefinitely for insulting Blanc with homophobic insults on social media, described by his manager as “pitiful”.
“How did I react? Very badly,” said the former France captain. “He’s a big boy, can do what he wants, but he’s penalising the club through the image he gives and what he said.”
“This is a democracy, we are free to think what we think, we can have our own opinions,” said Blanc, who signed Aurier from Toulouse in 2014. “But that boy… two years ago, I committed myself to make him come to Paris and what I saw was all the thanks I got. I think that’s pitiful.”
The day after the video emerged, Aurier later apologised for his “inexcusable” behaviour. But he has history. In March 2015, he was banned for three European matches after insulting referee Bjorn Kuipers on Facebook following a Champions League game.
Aurier’s outburst has dominated the build-up to the resumption of the Champions league for PSG and Blanc admitted it was untimely.
“We would like to have prepared with a little bit more calm,” said the former Barcelona and Manchester United defender. “Of course, we would prefer to avoid that but the most important thing is the Champions League game. One player won’t play, but for the rest the preparation is the same as usual.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734868273labto1734868273ofdlr1734868273owedi1734868273sni@w1734868273ahsra1734868273w.wer1734868273dna1734868273