Munich: Supporters of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) unfurled a banner reading "Stop genocide in Gaza" during the Champions League final on Saturday, making a political statement amid a high-profile sporting event.
The banner was raised shortly after PSG defender Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring in a dominant 5-0 victory over his former club, Inter Milan. Alongside the banner, several PSG fans were seen waving Palestinian flags and wearing Palestinian scarves, drawing attention to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
This is not the first time PSG fans have made such a gesture. In November, during a Champions League match against Atlético Madrid, they displayed a large banner reading "Free Palestine," underlining their consistent stance against the war in Gaza.
The latest demonstration is likely to cause concern among local authorities in Munich. The city’s town hall prominently displays both Israeli and Ukrainian flags, reflecting Germany’s strong support for Israel, rooted in historical responsibility.
The move could also result in disciplinary action for PSG. UEFA regulations prohibit the display of political, ideological, religious, or offensive messages at football matches. A first offence typically leads to a financial penalty, with fines for political banners or disturbances usually set at €10,000 (approximately $10,700).
The protest comes amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel’s nearly three-month-long blockade has pushed the territory’s population of over two million to the brink of famine. Though some humanitarian aid has been allowed to enter in recent days, aid agencies have warned that it remains grossly insufficient. The UN World Food Programme has raised serious concerns about the rising threat of starvation across the enclave.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people — most of them civilians — and taking approximately 250 hostages. In retaliation, Israeli military strikes have killed more than 54,000 people in Gaza, the majority of them women and children, according to figures from Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its casualty counts.
With PTI inputs