PSG Fan Dies Weeks After Assault by Own Fans

There is some very sad news from France today. The Paris St Germain fan attacked during a fracas between two rival groups of PSG fans has died after weeks in a coma. The 38-year-old man has not been named. He was injured during a home game against Marseille on February 28, which PSG lost 3-0. The match was already subject to a boycott by visiting fans, ironically due to their view that police measures were too heavy handed in Paris.

French sports minister Madame Rama Yade believes news of the death means PSG have reached a critical point in their history:

“The club’s survival is at stake. The worst has happened. Passions transformed into sordid, senseless, murderous rage. Love of the team jersey has become hate for the other, hate for the sport, hate for life. It is a victory for barbarism and a defeat for sport, fraternity and civilisation. Everyone should be concerned, first and foremost the leaders of all clubs. This may take time but our resolve will not falter.”

PSG have banned their fans from away games for the foreseeable future, while this weekend’s game against Nice will be played behind closed doors following trouble involving Nice fans in their game against Monaco on January 30.

The parents of the deceased have made an appeal for calm between the two factions involved, Tribune d’Auteuil and the Kop of Boulogne.

In a statement they said: “All those who considered themselves our son’s friend and comrade should show calm, restraint and dignity in how they express their emotions.”

Four people were arrested yesterday in connection with the death, and are almost certainly facing murder charges.

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