IKONÉ STUNS PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN AS PARIS FC REACH FRENCH CUP LAST 16

Former Paris Saint-Germain academy product Jonathan Ikoné struck a late winner against his old club as Paris FC shocked the holders 1-0 on Monday to book their place in the last 16 of the French Cup.

Paris Saint-Germain player Ousmane Dembélé looks defeated after his team's elimination by Paris FC in the round of 32 of the Coupe de France on January 12, 2026, in Paris. © Anne-Christine Poujoulat, AFP

Paris Saint-Germain academy product Jonathan Ikoné came back to haunt his former club on Monday, scoring the only goal in Paris FC’s 1-0 win over their city rivals at the Parc des Princes.

Substitute Ikoné stabbed home in the final 20 minutes to stun the dominant, record 16-time winners and reigning champions, who had controlled much of the contest.

PSG lost their first home match in the competition since 2022 and suffered their first last-32 defeat since 2014.

“We’re really happy, we managed to defend well,” Ikoné told France Télévisions.

“I’m really happy with my goal, just a joy, and I hope it’s not my last goal,” he added.

Before kick-off, the hosts’ former captain Mamadou Sakho — who began his career at Paris FC before crossing the city — announced his retirement on the pitch.

The sides had met earlier this month in the first top-flight Paris derby since 1990, when Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé scored in a 2-1 win for the Champions League holders.

Since then, PSG have lifted the French Champions Trophy, edging rivals Marseille on penalties in Kuwait last Thursday.

Newly promoted Paris FC, backed by luxury goods group LVMH and Red Bull, sit 15th in Ligue 1, two points above Nantes in the relegation play-off place.

Luis Enrique’s side dominated the first half, with Georgia winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia threatening without breaking the deadlock.

Paris FC winger Alimami Gory had the visitors’ best early chance before being forced off injured five minutes before the interval, replaced by Ikoné.

Ten minutes into the second half, a sloppy pass from Paris FC centre-back Moustapha Mbow gifted PSG a golden opportunity, but goalkeeper Obed Nkambadio punched away Gonçalo Ramos’ curling effort.

With PSG still on top with 15 minutes to play, Paris FC broke on the counter and Ikoné poked home to make it 1-0, refusing to celebrate against his former club.

During seven minutes of injury time, Doué went inches away from an equaliser with a header before Nkambadio produced another superb save to deny Vitinha’s long-range strike, capping a stellar individual performance.

In the final match of the round, Marseille travel to sixth-tier Bayeux, with the tie moved elsewhere in Normandy and played in front of a full house at Caen’s Stade Michel-d’Ornano.

Bayeux, home of the centuries-old tapestry, are the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, with the draw for the last 16 taking place before kick-off in northern France.

On Saturday, former Wolves coach Gary O’Neil began his reign as Strasbourg manager with a 6-0 win over fourth-tier Avranches.

- FRANCE 24 with AFP

PARIS FC'S BILLIONAIRE OWNERS HOPE KLOPP CAN HELP TRANSFORM THE CLUB

Antoine Arnault. Photo: Stephan Feugere

The Arnault family, owners of the LVMH luxury empire, plan to draw on Jürgen Klopp's expertise as part of an ambitious project to transform Paris FC into a force in French soccer.

The family's takeover of the second-tier club includes bringing energy drink giant Red Bull on board as a minority stakeholder. Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, is set to join Red Bull as head of global soccer in January.

"I've spoken with Klopp several times, and he's very, very excited about working with us," said Antoine Arnault, son of billionaire Bernard Arnault.

Arnault spoke Wednesday at a news conference at the team's training ground in Orly, located 14 miles south of Paris.

"We're not coming in alone," Arnault said. "Red Bull is by our side because we know what we're good at and what we're not. We have management skills, but none in football operations."

Arnault highlighted plans to leverage Red Bull's tools to tap into the Paris region's deep pool of soccer talent.

"Paris has probably the best talent pool in the world, rivaling only São Paulo," he said. "Red Bull's revolutionary data tools will greatly aid our scouting efforts."

Arnault also outlined plans for the family's majority stake.

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will begin his director role with Red Bull in January. Sascha Schuermann/Getty Images

"This is a family project we started with my brothers and sister," Arnault told reporters. "We thought it was a good idea to venture into something more thrilling than our usual activities. Football has been my passion since I was 10 years old."

The family's holding company, Agache, will acquire a 52% stake in the club, while Red Bull will hold 11%. Arnault will represent Agache on Paris FC's board.

Current club president and owner Pierre Ferracci will retain 30% for now. He said the takeover has been approved by the French league, with the deal expected to be finalized on Nov. 29.

By 2027, the Arnault family is set to hold around 80% of the shares, with Red Bull increasing its stake to 15%.

The acquisition positions Paris FC as a potential rival to Paris Saint-Germain, the Qatari-backed powerhouse. However, Arnault downplayed any rivalry.

"PSG is a club I've loved since I was 12 years old," he said. "You'll never hear me say anything negative about it. I don't exclude supporting two clubs in the capital."

Arnault described the project as a long-term effort to elevate Paris FC's men's and women's teams to top-tier success.

Ferracci, who has led Paris FC since 2012, emphasized the importance of sustainable growth for the club.

"There's a sovereignty issue in football," Ferracci said, referring to the dominance of foreign ownership in French clubs. "If Paris FC can stand out with French investment, it would be a very good thing."

Created in 1969, Paris FC's men's team has yet to achieve any significant success. This year, they lead the Ligue 2 standings with more than half of the season remaining, and their women's team competes in France's top-tier league and the Women's Champions League.

"We're not doing this to make money," Arnault said. "We want to provide emotional experiences for fans. We were deeply inspired by the Olympics and their positive impact. While we are not used to wasting money, we'll work toward financial balance."

- Associated Press