The French football community has been thrown into controversy after a recent match that saw former PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot targeted with vulgar banners aimed at his family. During the intense PSG-OM ‘Clasico’ on March 16, 2025, where Paris Saint-Germain triumphed with a score of 3-1, Rabiot, now playing for rival club Olympique de Marseille, experienced a hostile reception from fans during his return to Parc des Princes.
One of the most shocking moments of the match was when Rabiot's parents were mocked through derogatory banners raised by PSG supporters. One particularly troubling banner raised the question: “Véro, who is her real father? Dehu, Fiorèse, Cana or Heinze?” which directly attacked the player’s family and his late father, Michel Provost, who died in January 2019 after a lengthy illness. Rabiot's father suffered a serious stroke in 2007 which left him with locked-in syndrome, but he was nonetheless conscious and communicated until his death.
Reacting to the hostility, Rabiot took to Instagram following the event, stating, “Insulting a mother and a deceased father... Everything is paid for one day. You won’t take that with you to paradise. Believe me.” His words underscore the emotional toll this incident has had on him, profoundly impacted by the attacks on his family.
Rabiot's treatment during the match did not go unnoticed. Kylian Mbappé, the captain of the French national team and former PSG star, expressed his dismay in a press conference, saying, “I spoke with Adrien, he is touched, it’s not easy to be in this situation. I don’t understand why family is involved when you have a problem with a player; it goes beyond the PSG-Rabiot episode.”
Mbappé's comments highlight a growing concern within the football community regarding the unacceptable targeting of players and their families. He reiterated the importance of drawing a line: “There are limits that must not be crossed. As players, we can accept some banter, but when it comes to family, that's something we don't want to see.”
The backlash from the public and football authorities has been swift. Following the Clasico, numerous prominent figures in French football joined in condemning the actions of PSG supporters. The president of the French Football Federation (FFF), the direction of Olympique de Marseille, and even the mayor of Marseille labeled the behavior as “shameful,” “indecent,” and “unacceptable.”
In an official statement released shortly after the match, PSG condemned the actions of its supporters, stating, “The club firmly condemns any initiative that undermines dignity and calls for all parties to adopt a similar stance to ensure exemplary, calm, and respectful stands.” This statement, while welcomed by some, has been criticized by others for being vague and lacking assertive action against the fans involved.
Amidst this controversy, Rabiot also announced his intention to file a complaint regarding the insults directed at his family. The support for Rabiot has seen solidarity across the league, highlighting a growing awareness of and opposition to toxic behavior among supporters.
This recent episode at the Parc des Princes raises unsettling questions about the culture within football stadiums, particularly regarding the treatment of players returning to their former clubs. The line between passionate support and inappropriate abuse seems increasingly blurred, leaving many to wonder how far fans are willing to go in expressing their allegiance.
As discussions continue, it remains to be seen what concrete steps the football authorities and clubs will take to prevent occurrences of this nature in the future. The actions and sentiments shown by Kylian Mbappé and others signify a positive push towards accountability and respect in the sport, urging both fans and clubs to reassess their roles in fostering a more respectful environment for all involved.
