PARIS: The Paris prosecutor’s office is investigating alleged discrimination by Paris Saint-Germain years ago, following a complaint that the club’s scouts illegally profiled potential recruits based on their origins.
Prosecutors told AP the investigation was reopened in May. The case is related to events which happened several years ago and was the subject of an initial investigation that was ended in August 2022.
The office said it received a new complaint “for discrimination on the grounds of origin, and computerised storage of data revealing racial or ethnic origins.”
French law prohibits the collection of personal data that shows the racial or ethnic origins of individuals.
PSG have previously acknowledged that forms with illegal content were used from 2013-18. But they declined responsibility for implementing the policy after the Mediapart news website reported that scouts were asked by PSG to mention the origin of possible recruits according to four categories: “Francais” (French), “Maghrebin” (North African), “Antillais” (West Indian), and “Afrique noire” (Black African).
The previous investigation was started following a complaint by France’s League of Human Rights after PSG said an internal investigation found “no proven case of discrimination.”
The French Football Federation ethics council also looked into the matter and the league’s disciplinary commission later fined PSG 100,000 euros ($109,000).
The league also handed a 10,000-euro suspended fine to former PSG academy director Bertrand Reuzeau. Marc Westerloppe and Pierre Reynaud, who were in charge of PSG’s recruiting, received suspended fines of 5,000 euros.
Mediapart and French TV program “Envoyé Special” said a young black player was overlooked by PSG because of his color. Following an investigation based on the “Football Leaks” documents, Mediapart said 17-year-old midfielder Yann Gboho, who plays for France Under-18s, was disregarded by PSG when he was 13, and the club management decided to cover up “those implicated in the scandal.”
In a separate racism case in 2011, the country’s soccer scene was rocked by revelations from Mediapart that then-national coach Laurent Blanc and others discussed informal quotas limiting black and Arab youth players’ involvement in the national squad.
Prosecutors reopen investigation into PSG over alleged discrimination in recruiting
https://arab.news/43k7f
Prosecutors reopen investigation into PSG over alleged discrimination in recruiting
- The office said it received a new complaint “for discrimination on the grounds of origin, and computerised storage of data revealing racial or ethnic origins”
- PSG have previously acknowledged that forms with illegal content were used from 2013-18
Ravaglia heroics lead Bologna to Italian Super Cup final in Riyadh
- Despite falling behind early, Bologna equalized in the 34th minute before prevailing on penalties
RIYADH: It was a night of shared football culture in Riyadh as Inter Milan and Bologna met in the second 2025/26 Italian Super Cup semi-final. The travelling Inter support brought their drums, colour and constant noise, blending with Saudi Inter fans to create a lively atmosphere inside the stadium.
The match began at a blistering pace, with Inter taking the lead less than two minutes after kick-off. Marcus Thuram powered home from close range after meeting an accurate cross from Alessandro Bastoni to score the opening goal of the night.
Inter immediately searched for a second, with Ange-Yoan Bonny going close in the fourth minute, feinting past Torbjorn Heggem before dragging his effort just wide of the post.
After Inter’s early barrage, Bologna began to grow into the contest, with Jens Odgaard leading much of the offence. Goalkeeper Josep Martinez was called into action to preserve Inter’s advantage.
The energy among Inter supporters continued to build, with fans jumping in unison and lifting their scarves as they urged their side forward in search of a second goal.
That momentum was checked in the 34th minute, when a VAR review resulted in a penalty for Bologna. Riccardo Orsolini slotted the spot-kick coolly past Martinez to bring I Rossoblu back level.
Inter pushed forward after the break as the game opened up, but there was no getting past Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia, who made four saves in the second half alone.
Hope briefly returned for the Nerazzurri when Bonny was brought down in the box in the 56th minute, only for the initial appeal for a penalty to be overturned following consultation with VAR.
Less than 10 minutes later, the stadium rose to welcome Lautaro Martinez. Brought on alongside Andy Diouf and Davide Frattesi in a triple substitution, Lautaro made an immediate impact but was unable to find the decisive goal before the end of regular time.
Bologna came within moments of snatching a winner in injury time, but goalkeeper Martinez reacted sharply to make a crucial save, sending the semi-final into a penalty shootout.
The shootout began evenly, with both sides converting their penalties before goalkeepers intervened at either end. Nicolo Barella then fired over the crossbar, only for Juan Miranda to mirror the miss moments later.
Inter’s struggles from the spot continued as Ravaglia made his second save of the shootout, before Jonathan Rowe gave Bologna the advantage. Stefan de Vrij converted to extend the contest, but Ciro Immobile struck decisively to send Bologna through.
The Rossoblu will now face Napoli in the Italian Super Cup final at Al-Awwal Park on December 22, after the Serie A champions defeated AC Milan 2-0 in the first semi-final.
