French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for tough sanctions after a racist banner was unfurled by Paris St Germain supporters during Saturday’s French League Cup final.
“The president wishes that this intolerable behaviour will have the follow-up it deserves and will follow with great attention how the investigation progresses,” read a statement issued by Sarkozy’s office on Monday.
The banner referred to a film, Ch’tis, a nickname for the people of northern France, which is doing well in France at the moment. The banner read: “Paedophiles, unemployed, inbred: welcome chez les Ch’tis.”
The banner was held up briefly at the start of the second half of the game between PSG and northern club Lens at the Stade de France.
Sarkozy, who was at the match and asked for the banner to be removed, will meet Lens mayor Guy Delcourt and Lens officials on Tuesday.
Delcourt has asked for the final, won 2-1 by PSG after a controversial late penalty, to be replayed.
