SOCCER WORLD REACTS TO PSG WINNING CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL AGAINST ARSENAL

Getty 

Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions League title on Saturday, defeating Arsenal in a dramatic penalty shootout after the final finished 1-1 following extra time at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.

The result made PSG only the second club to win back-to-back Champions League titles since the competition was reformatted in 1992, joining Real Madrid’s run of three consecutive crowns between 2016 and 2018. The French champions also became the 10th club in European Cup history to win consecutive titles.

Arsenal appeared on course for a historic victory after Kai Havertz gave the Premier League champions an early lead in the sixth minute. However, PSG responded in the second half when Ousmane Dembele converted a penalty after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was fouled inside the box. The match eventually went to penalties, where Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães missed the decisive kick as PSG secured a 4-3 shootout victory.

Emmanuel Macron, Rio Ferdinand and Fans React to PSG’s Historic Triumph

The victory quickly sparked reactions from across the soccer world.

French President Emmanuel Macron celebrated PSG’s achievement on social media.

“A new star shines over Paris! Bravo to PSG for making all of Europe dream. France is proud,” Macron wrote.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand also praised the French club and manager Luis Enrique after the final.

“Back to Back Champions Leagues… Congrats to PSG! Luis Enrique absolute genius 🏆,” Ferdinand posted.

He also acknowledged Arsenal’s effort during their domestic and European campaign.

“Shout out to Arsenal, brilliant season, changed the narrative. Gabriel an absolute rock & no shame when it comes down to penalties! Respect 👊🏽,” Ferdinand added.

Supporters also flooded social media following the final whistle.

One fan wrote: “Let’s go!!! Great games intense till the end!! Congrats.”

Another described the dramatic finish by saying: “Ice in their veins. PSG hold their nerve to defend their Champions League crown, while Arsenal endure absolute heartbreak at the death. What an unbelievable night in Budapest! 🏆🔥”

A third supporter praised the champions’ accomplishment.

“Well deserved. No team should win a champions league final through the back door. Arsenal almost succeeded 😅.”

Another fan highlighted PSG’s journey over the past two seasons.

“A tremendous achievement for PSG, who let their star players leave, won the hearts of fans around the world and came out on top. Two years in a row, and today was a tough one, because they were up against a defensive wall.”

ESPN Notes PSG’s Place in Champions League History

Paris Saint-Germain’s Spanish head coach Luis Enrique touches the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League final. Getty

The final result also added another chapter to PSG’s growing European legacy.

ESPN Stats & Information highlighted the significance of the achievement shortly after the match concluded.

“PSG are back-to-back UEFA Champions League champions 🏆🏆,” ESPN posted.

The network added: “They become just the 2nd club to repeat as UCL winners, joining Real Madrid, who won three straight from 2016-18.”

ESPN also noted the broader historical context.

“Overall, PSG are the 10th club in European Cup history (since 1955-56) to win consecutive titles.”

The final itself was tightly contested.

Arsenal struck first through Havertz after a defensive mistake allowed the German forward to break through and finish from a narrow angle.

PSG pushed for an equalizer throughout the second half and finally found one when Dembélé converted from the penalty spot following a foul on Kvaratskhelia.

Neither side could find a winner in extra time, sending the Champions League final to penalties for the first time since Real Madrid defeated Atlético Madrid in a shootout 10 years ago.

PSG ultimately held their nerve from the spot, completing another successful European campaign and becoming the first club since Real Madrid to retain the Champions League trophy.

For Arsenal, the search for a first European Cup title continues despite winning the Premier League and reaching their first Champions League final in two decades.

- Debayan Biswas

FRENCH PRESIDENT URGES REAL MADRID TO LET MBAPPÉ PLAY

 French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday he hoped Kylian Mbappé would play in this year's Paris Olympic Games.

The France striker confirmed on Friday that he would leave Paris Saint-Germain and he has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid.

"I have no particular comment to make other than the fact that I am counting upon Real Madrid to free up Kylian for the Olympic Games so he can play with the French team," Macron said in a video posted on his X account.

Macron made a similar statement last month, saying at that time: "I think that European clubs need to play the game so that we can put on a great show."

Mbappé said he wanted to play at the Olympics in a news conference ahead of France's game against Germany in March, though he added that "it doesn't depend on me."

Mbappe, 25, has played 77 times for France and scored a goal in the 2018 World Cup final against Croatia to help his team win the trophy.

MACRON REVEALS PLAB B IF SECURITY RISK TOO HIGH FOR PARIS OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY SEINE

Construction is underway at the Trocadéro gardens, ahead of the Olympic opening ceremony which will be held on the Seine. Sunday, April 14, 2024 in Paris. AURELIEN MORISSARD / AP

 French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday, April 15, the Paris Olympics opening ceremony could move from the river Seine to a different site in the event of a security threat. Macron said in an interview with BFMTV and RMC that instead of teams sailing down the Seine on barges, the ceremony could be "limited to the Trocadéro," across the river from the Eiffel Tower, or "even moved to the Stade de France."

The Paris organizers have devised a ceremony that is unprecedented in Olympic history as it breaks from the tradition of opening the Games in the main stadium. However, despite war raging in Ukraine and in Gaza, organizers have so far denied the ceremony on July 26 could be moved to a different venue if it is targeted.

"This opening ceremony... is a world first. We can do it and we are going to do it," Macron said. But, he added, "there are Plan Bs and Plan Cs", including moving the ceremony to the Stade de France to the north of Paris. "We will analyze this in real time," Macron added.

He also said he would do "everything possible" to have an Olympic truce during the Games. The truce is a historic tradition that peace reigns during the Olympics. "We want to work towards an Olympic truce and I think it is an occasion for me to engage with a lot of our partners," he said.

First Olympic opening outside a stadium

The July 26 event is set to be the first Olympic opening ceremony held outside a stadium setting. About 10,500 athletes will parade through the heart of the French capital on boats on the Seine along a 6-kilometer route.

To limit security risks, Macron said organizers could decide to shorten the itinerary of the parade on the Seine, and even to "repatriate the ceremony to the Stade de France" for a more conventional opening event.

Organizers had originally planned a grandiose opening ceremony for as many as 600,000 people, most watching free of charge from riverbanks. But security and logistical concerns have led the government to progressively scale back its ambitions. Earlier this year, the overall number of spectators was reduced to around 300,000.

The French government also decided that tourists won't be given free access to watch the opening ceremony because of security concerns. Free access will be invitation-only instead.

-  Le Monde with AP, AFP

MACRON WISHES FLAWLESS PARIS 2024 GAMES, BOOSTS FRENCH ATHLETES

 

Reuters 

President Emmanuel Macron visited France's National Institute of Sport and Performance (INSEP) on Tuesday, hoping to give a boost to the country's athletes and insisting the organisation of the Paris 2024 Olympics needed to be flawless.

Macron took to the tatami to chat with members of France's judo team, telling them how much he 'relied on (them) in this Olympic year'.

"I count on you not only to bring medals, but to inspire the youth. Do your best," he said.

"Are you ready?," he then told the coaches. "Anyway, you're under big pressure."

Macron, who said France were able to finish in the "top five of the medals table", then addressed a thousand of guests, among them some 500 athletes, to stress that France would be ready for the 'unique opportunity' that home Games are.

ISRAELI-HAMAS WAR WONT AFFECT PARIS 2024 SECURITY PLANS - ESTANGUET

IOC Mumbai. Reuters 

The war between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas will not affect the security plans for next year's Olympic Games in France, the chief of the organising committee for the Paris 2024 Olympics said on Monday.

There have been protests in recent days with the country being home to Europe's largest Muslim and Jewish communities. France was put on its highest security alert on Friday after a teacher was killed in an Islamist attack.

French President Emmanuel Macron also deployed up to 7,000 soldiers for increased security patrols, as bomb alerts forced the evacuation of the Louvre museum. The Middle East conflict has often stoked domestic tensions in the past.

PUTIN SAYS IOC IS DISTORTING OLYMPIC IDEAL

Reuters 

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the International Olympic Committee on Tuesday of politicising sport, as it weighs a decision on Russian athletes' participation in next year's Games in Paris.

Russians are facing the likelihood of having to compete under a neutral flag in Paris because of Putin's invasion of Ukraine. The IOC has taken no final decision but said athletes should not be punished for the acts of their governments.

French President Emmanuel Macron said last week that no Russian flag should fly at the Games.

Putin was asked about the issue at a forum in Russia's far east, and responded by referencing the ideals of the Frenchman who founded the modern Olympics.

FRAMCE'S MACRON:THERE CAN BE NO RUSSIAN FLAG AT PARIS 2024

Reuters 

French President Emmanuel Macron said no Russian flag should fly at next year's Paris Olympics, with Russian athletes' participation an issue for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to decide.

Ukraine has threatened a boycott of the Games though it may drop that if athletes from war allies Russia and Belarus compete under a neutral flag rather than national colours.

"Of course, there can be no Russian flag during the Paris Games, I think there is a consensus on that matter. Because Russia, as a country, is not welcome at a time where it has committed war crimes and deported children," Macron told French sports daily L'Equipe.

PRESIDENT MACRON CELEBRATES IN DRESSING ROOM AFTER FRANCE 🇫🇷 BEAT MOROCCO 🇲🇦 | FIFA WORLD CUP 2022

KYLIAN MBAPPÉ IS SET TO JOIN REAL MADRID

Kylian Mbappé is set tonput pen on paper at Real Madrid soon as a move to the Spanish giants in imminent.

UEFA MOVES CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL FRON ST. PETERSBURG TO FRANCE

 

UEFA Champions League final will not take place in St. Petersburg after Russia decided to invade Ukrain amidst world wide condemnation. 

NOVAK DJOKOVIC COVID-19 SAGA | FRENCH TO ALLOW DJOKOVIC PLAY FRENCH OPEN REGARDLESS

 

French Minister of Sports said that Novak Djokovic is welcome to play the French Open regardless of his Covid-19 vaccination status.