PSG Hogs the Headlines

PSG has been all over the headlines this summer, with some high profile signings, the possible apointment of Lillian Thuram to their front office, arbitration for their being banned from the Coupe de la Ligue as well as having a drawn out transfer saga with one Jimmy Briand of Rennes. Here is the latest on the appeal for the Coupe de la Ligue campaign.

Of course we all remember PSG were banned from the 2008/2009 edition of the tournament after a section of their fans held up a banner during the Coupe final against Lens which said ‘Paedophiles, unemployed, inbreeding, welcome to the North’. (Distasteful to say the least).

Yesterday the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF) asked the FFF to reconsider the ban and called for PSG to be reinstated to the competition. The FFF dont like to be undermined, and have upheld the decision after an emergency meeting on this morning, rejecting outright CNOSF’s suggestion that PSG play a Ligue 1 match behind closed doors as an alternative punishment.

‘The Board have refused the proposal of replacing the ban on PSG from the Coupe de la Ligue 2008/09 with the obligation on the Parisian club to play behind closed doors a league match at the beginning of this season’, read a statement posted on the FFF website.

‘It considered that the punishment of a ban from the next Coupe de la Ligue, taking by the Disciplinary Commission of the LFP and confirmed by the Appeals Commission, constitutes an appropriate sanction to the specific nature and seriousness of the facts.

‘It equally considered that since these happened in the Coupe de la Ligue, it was logical and fitting that the punishment involved the Coupe de la Ligue and not French championship Ligue 1.’

So PSG will not play in the Coupe this year, unable to defend their title. I think its fair punishment, PSG must be held responsible for their radical fans, especially at a cup final like that. Up next, is the rather exhausting transfer saga that is Jimmy Briand. These words are from his own mouth:

‘I extended last summer so as not to stay with only one year on my contract and so it would allow the club to get some money from my departure,’ Briand told Le Parisien. ‘We had a deal.

‘By nature I’m an optimist. I hope everything will be sorted as soon as possible, even if the transfer market is open until August 31.’

‘I’m in the same frame of mind as I have been since I came back from holiday,’ he added. ‘And even if I am back in training with Rennes, I have already thought of myself as Parisian for many weeks now.

‘I’m a pro therefore I’ll do pre-season properly but I won’t play for Rennes anymore. That’s categorical. I’ve repeated that to the coach, the president and the sporting director.’

‘Because of the way in which all this has happened and the remarks made, I feel betrayed. From that point, I can’t give myself any more to a club that lied to me.

‘My words are strong because I’m not in the frame of mind to play here anymore.

‘I was disappointed when the directors told me they didn’t want to let me go anymore.

‘They knew last season that I would leave this summer, so it was up to them to anticipate it.’

‘Everyone needs to do some effort,’ he added. ‘In relation to their first offer, PSG have progressed.

‘Today, Rennes have dug their heels in a bit over the price. But I have good faith that everyone will revise their position.

‘If Rennes decide not to let me leave, I won’t leave. But I will fight until August 31 to go.

‘While waiting, I don’t want to play [for Rennes] or appear on a team-sheet.’

PSG is said to have increased their offer to 8.5 million euros, which Rennes is flatly refused. After the somewhat idiotic bargaining position of Maurice Cohen, president of Nice, over the Baky Kone transfer to Marseille, it looks like Rennes is following suit. They are asking for an amount that does not represent the price of the player, even with the agreed upon release of the player by Rennes management. Is Ligue fastly becoming the EPL, where small clubs hold bigger clubs randsom for players, only drive up the price when they look to buy players as well? Or is this the best way for the big clubs to compensate the smaller clubs, so that they stay economically viable and competitive on the field? A difficult question indeed…

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PSG Now A Retirement Home

PSG has just announced another exciting (depends on where you fit in the Ligue 1 scheme) signing, with the addition of Claude Makelele from Chelsea. At 35, he certainly is not getting any younger, but he has signed a 5, yes 5 year deal with PSG, which will intially see him on a 2 year playing contract with a 3 year management contract, as an ambassador to the community yadda yadda yadda. But their is an option for a 3 year, the could apply if Makelele and the management think he is either still in shape to play or not ready to join the front office yet (excuses excuses).

Along with the signing of Makelele, Lillian Thuram joined PSG earlier in the summer after being a free agent from Barcelona. He, like Makelele, was once one of the worlds best in his position, but now is on the down slope. Which means why is this an exciting signing for PSG? Well, he has great pedigree, and leadership ability which should translate to a more stable PSG team thats loaded with young talent. I know Mamadou Sakho (even Lars M’Biala if he stays at the club) will be happy to learn from Lillian. And Sankhare/N’Goyi will certainly learn alot from Makelele, who will probably be playing along side one of Jeremy Clement or Clement Chantome or Sessegnon.

Also in the offing for PSG is Ludovic Giuly. At 32, he is a youngster to Thuram and Makelele, and should provide some width on the right that the club has lacked for awhile. He could also play as the second striker with Luyindula or Hoarau(or Pauleta if he returns). He will also hope that old friend Jerome Rothen will return to some sort of form he showed at Monaco with him, and that PSG can be a contender for the title this year.

With the signings of Hoarau and Sessegnon to add to these three veterans, PSG has put together a decent squad for the upcoming campaign. I still doubt their strength at right back, while a more creative central player wouldnt be a bad addition. Jimmy Brian’s protracted move keeps swaying back in forth between Rennes and PSG, so we will have to see about that, but for once, will PSG live up to the hype it gets? Or will it be battling relegation for yet another season? Cant wait for the season to get under way!

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The Excitement Continues

Remember how pumped I was that we had gotten a Bordeaux and a Nice blog (Finally!). Well I am just as excited today because we have gotten an all new Monaco blog headed by Richard, which isnt up yet for some reason but will be coming soon. And we also have the return of the PSG blog, with J taking over for the AWOL Come, so lets welcome J to the site, his blog is here.

Two fine teams are now represented on the France Offsides, and we 9 of the 11 Ligue 1 teams represented. My goal is to get atleast 11, so if your out there and want a blog, let me know. You can leave a post here with your email address, or your can contact me directly at cnfiske@quinnipiac.edu. I am also available over at the Real Madrid page. I think a Nantes blog is pretty important, while Nancy and Tolouse would be nice, and it looks like the Caen blog has dried up.

Also, I would like to announce that despite my partner in crime Sam taking copious amounts of time off (I am guilty here too, I was gone for like 3 months) to work on his band, his thriving life in Canada etc. I will be looking for a co-blogger as well. As my main priorities are of course with the Real Madrid page, I cant provide the content I would like to see on the main France page. If your interested, again, you know where to find me.

Now for the good stuff, I am going to begin a player profile once a week (hopefully) of interesting, and more importantly, lesser known players in Ligue 1. The posts will commence next week, with Mathieu Coutaduer starting us off. If you have a particular player you would like to know more about, let me know and I will see what I can do. Until then, have a good weekend.

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Marseille fans raise 1.5m euros for Drogba

MARSEILLE, France (AFP) - Marseille fans have raised almost 1.5 million euros in a bold bid to lure prodigal striker Didier Drogba back to the Mediterranean, according to the website handling donations on Monday.

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The Scoop

Yeah…..

So here is a lowdown of all the transfer activity that is going on in France right now as the country celebrates its birthday.

First, there is the hilarious, yet resounding move that Marseille fans have made by starting an online collection to raise the funds needed to buy Didier Drogba from Chelsea. Having raised only 1.5 million euros so far, that doesnt seem like happening. But the point has been raised, that Marseille fans dont agree with Pape Diouf and his small minded transfer moves (small because he wants to recruit tiny Baky Kone and the somewhat short Ben Arfa has already been added).

Next up, is the strange sequence of events that is Oscar Ewolo’s contract dispute/transfer plea with Lorient. He has said he was promised a new contract, but that has yet to materialize from the Lorient management, so he wants a transfer. But that has also been held up by some strange circumstances, most notable Lille’s ability to get Rio Mavuba from Vilarreal and Rennes ability to hold on to Stephane M’Bia. He look set to stay with Lorient this year and probably get a contract, but not in the time frame he wanted.

People are still linking Claude Makelele with PSG. I dont see how, its obvious Big Phil will use Mak often this upcoming year, but since Thuram signed, and Giuly looks a good bet to as well, then why not Claude. I give it a 1-100 chance, but you never know.

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Nice is being linked with RC Lens Aruna Dindane as a replacement for Baky Kone. If Dindane could stay healthy, this would be a very astute signing, but considering Lens relegation, the bargain bin clear out will have to happen eventually.

Sticking with Lens, Olivier Monterubbio is being eyed by Lorient, in what would be another great addition to an already improved side. I expect Lorient to finish just outside of a European spot, but Christian Gourcuff is doing some excellent work, especially the signing of Gameiro.

With Hilton having moved to Marseille, and Nadir Belhadj looking like he ill leave for the EPL, Verdan Runje is being conveted by Lille, who are in need of a goal keeper. They are also heavily linked with Anti Niemi of Fulham, who curriosly is being linked to Juventus of all places.

Stephen Lichsteiner’s proposed transfer to PSG may be hijacked by Lazio, as the interest in the Swiss defender slowly increases.

Yoann Demont is being pursued by Valenciennes, who is also putting together a solid, if unspectaular team.

Stepeh Sessegnon has been unveiled by PSG, but Marko Basa has yet to sign for the Parisiens.

Monaco is being linked with former Lyon and current Juventus bust Tiago. No word on whether Monaco will firm up their interest in Freddy Adu.

Nicolas Marin is interesting Martin O’Neil of Aston Villa, while Good Ole’ arry likes Jeremy Menez and may submit a bid this week.

Achille Emana may finally move to Real Betis this week, while Salim Arrache will be disguarded by Marseille to Grenoble.

Seb Squillaci should complete his move to Sevilla today, who also are interest in Stephane M’Bia, which means a move for Oscar Ewolo may take place, but also leaves the door open to Lyon moving for John Mensah, with Rennes expecting to look outside France for a new center back. Chain of events or numerous random occurences?

And finally, Jimmy Briand, much like Baky Kone, is in dispute with his club over a proposed move to PSG, with Rennes wanting more money then offered or a move outside of France. This one will probably go down to the wire, but the talented hitman will hope to move somewhere he can further cement a place with Les Blues.

Phewww, I am out of breath. Let me know what you think of all these moves.

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