Aston Villa supporters have been advised to “be on guard” following an incident where PSG hooligans assaulted British fans in a deliberate bar fight.
This alarming attack occurred in the lead-up to the highly anticipated Champions League match between Aston Villa and PSG on Wednesday night.
Disturbing footage from the altercation reveals PSG hooligans attacking English fans outside an Irish pub in the red light district of Paris.
The aggressive fans were seen hurling glasses and chairs before engaging in physical combat.
Police were called to the scene but reportedly arrived too late to apprehend any of the PSG attackers.
According to a source close to the investigation, the attack is believed to be “deliberately targeted”.
The source stated, “A large group of PSG ultras, many with their hoods up, arrived prepared for a confrontation.
“They knew exactly who they were after – anyone supporting Aston Villa. The Aston Villa fans were intentionally targeted.”
A group identifying themselves as “PSG hooligans” has seemingly claimed responsibility for the assault.
This group describes itself as a continuation of the formerly disbanded Kop of Boulogne.
Kop of Boulogne was a far-right and racist group that was dissolved in 2008 following attacks on football fans of black and Arab descent.
The PSG gang was also known for attacking their own club`s supporters if they were from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Police have categorized Wednesday`s match at the Parc des Princes as a level 3 risk out of 5, indicating a “moderate but real risk of incidents.”
Consequently, English fans in Paris have been warned to “be on guard.”
Approximately 3,000 Villa fans are in Paris, with 1,000 without tickets, ahead of Wednesday’s game.
Among them is expected to be Prince William, a well-known Villa supporter, who was invited to the game by PSG.
While there isn`t a significant history of rivalry between Aston Villa and PSG fans, the French side is reportedly angered by Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez`s arrival in Paris wearing a hat featuring an Argentina crest over a French rooster.
The hat highlighted the four international titles Martinez has won with Argentina and included a French cockerel drawn in pen.
Martinez played a pivotal role in Argentina`s victory over France in the 2022 World Cup Final in Qatar, which incensed Paris fans.
Furthermore, a PSG source suggests that Paris hooligans are notorious for wanting to “test themselves” against English fans.
France has seen a significant increase in football hooliganism in the past five years.
The French Interior Ministry recently announced a ban on Legion X, ultras associated with Paris FC, after repeated violent attacks on rival fans.
Who are the PSG hooligans?
- The “PSG hooligans” identify as a continuation of the disbanded Kop of Boulogne (KoB).
- KoB was a far-Right and racist group, disbanded in 2008 due to attacks on black and Arab football fans.
- KoB was notorious for attacking their own club`s supporters from ethnic minority backgrounds.
- The PSG hooligans appear to have claimed responsibility for the attack on Villa fans.
