French football hooligans’ most offensive banners

Julien — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:36:26 +0200

The banner, displayed at the premier league final between Paris Saint-Germain and Lens reads

"Paedophiles, unemployed and inbred: Welcome up north"

A group of Parisian football supporters responsible for a banner that accused their opponents of being "paedophiles and inbred" has been ordered to disband by the French interior minister.

The banner that lead to the dissolution, announced last Thursday, was aimed at Paris Saint-Germain's opponents Lens, a northern city from the industrial region inhabited by "Ch'tis", the term for the residents of this poor and underdeveloped area of France, the subject of recent film called "Bienvenue Chez Les Ch'tis" (roughly translating to "Welcome to the Sticks"), which is becoming the highest-grossing French film in history. Reading "Paedophiles, unemployed and inbred: Welcome to the Sticks", the banner was displayed at the premier league final, of which Sarkozy was in attendance. As well as disbanding the "Boulogne Boys" - who are considered one of the oldest hooligan groups in France - an inquiry into finding and punishing those responsible is underway. Here, members' (who wish to remain anonymous) reactions and a pick of other offensive messages displayed across the pitch.