Football/PSG: Marco Verratti’s departure
Was PSG right to sell Marco Verratti? , following the announcement of the Italian midfielder’s departure for Al-Arabi. And it has to be said that among Paris fans, the subject is very divisive. Some are happy to see the player, who for them symbolises the club’s repeated failures in Europe, leave to launch a new cycle.
Others, however, are rather embarrassed by the way in which a big name at the club, considered a legend by many, was sacked and left in relative anonymity. More than his departure, it is also the way in which PSG have handled this affair that is causing controversy among many Parisian fans. Indeed, the player was not even able to say farewell at the Parc des Princes as many had hoped, although PSG appear to be preparing a tribute to him in the coming weeks.
This is the first controversy linked to his departure, and it is not the only one. Other observers, not necessarily PSG fans, are highlighting a huge conflict of interest in this story. PSG actually recouped €50 million from the sale of the player to a Qatari club, a way of circumventing financial fair play for many. This is Qatari money flowing into the Parisian accounts, with a well-known man at the helm: Antero Henrique, a former PSG player who is still close to the PSG staff.
As Le Parisien points out, Al-Arabi is not linked to QSI, and that is PSG’s line of defence in this affair. This is a far cry from the case of Saint-Maximin, for example, who was transferred from a club owned by Saudi funds to another club managed by the Saudi state. But many remain convinced that there is a clear conflict of interest here. The player’s price tag – €50 million – is also considered very high by some, given his recent performances. A transfer that has people talking…
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