The benching of Neymar and Marco Verratti greatly worries some journalists who see in this strong act a clear sign of Qatar’s intention to gradually disengage from PSG.
When Qatar acquired Paris Saint-Germain in 2011, the club entered a new era. At the time, the Gulf State had just obtained the organization of the 2022 World Cup and already, some were slipping halfway through that once the competition was over, the Qataris would leave Paris. Today, and eight months after the closing of the World Cup, QSI is still at the helm of PSG. But while President Nasser al-Khelaïfi continues to ensure that no disengagement is on the agenda, certain signals worry observers.
While Qatar is currently negotiating the entry (minority) in the capital of the Parisian club, of the American investment fund Arctos Partners, it was the announcement made on Wednesday of the benching of Neymar and Marco Verratti which made it tick more than one. A real turn and a large page in the process of turning, that’s what to ask. On the chain shelf The Team, Philippe Sanfourche gave his clear opinion. ” I would like the change in strategy to be the main reason, but if things go to the end of the process this summer, it would mean that it is a total trend reversal, a 180° policy.”
“A huge slap”
And the journalist RTL to develop his point. ” Nasser al-Khelaïfi tends to overprotect his workforce, especially those we have just mentioned. Marco Verratti is her baby, her pet, her pride. (…) Today, after losing Messi, being on the verge of losing Mbappé, PSG decides to part with Neymar and Verratti, I would like it only for a reason of political reversal in relation to discipline . But Philippe Sanfourche has no illusions. For him, a major change is brewing.
” It will not have escaped you that there are more and more discussions with various pension funds, in particular American, to engage a new participation within the capital. It still very clearly looks like a quick, clean and flawless disengagement. (…) There, you separate yourself from all your assets, all the guys who make you sell shirts, who make you progress on social networks. So I take this information as a huge slap in the face and as something that is, in my opinion, like the beginnings of a real disengagement from Qatar.”
