Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 7y

PSG fans heckled players, damaged cars after loss to Barcelona - club

Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed reports of an incident at Le Bourget Airport in the early hours of Thursday morning following the team's return to the French capital after their UEFA Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona.

Unai Emery's men were astonishingly beaten 6-1 at Camp Nou as the Spanish giants completed an improbable 6-5 aggregate victory, which prompted angry scenes when the squad touched down in Paris at around 5 a.m. CET.

A group of irate fans waited for the players and heckled them as they tried to leave the airport.

"These individuals verbally insulted the players before vandalising their cars," read an official PSG communiqué. "Several vehicles were damaged.

"In this extremely hostile and aggressive climate, all vehicles were escorted to ensure the safe passage of the players, their families and club staff members. One individual was struck by a car trying to escape the crowd that was physically threatening the players and their families."

The Ligue 1 giants then confirmed that "a police investigation is underway to establish exactly what happened" and stressed their "readiness" to help figure out exactly what happened.

Veteran midfielder Thiago Motta, who did not feature in either leg of the Champions League last-16 clash, was recorded on video bumping into one of the supporters present in his car.

The Italy international's agent, Alessandro Canovi, confirmed to Le Parisien that his client was confronted as he tried to make his escape but denied any intent to run the fan over.

"Thiago was stopped," explained Canovi. "His wife was by his side and supporters were beating on the roof and the sides of the car.

"He wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. He moved forward but did not feel like he ran the fan over. If he did hit someone, we are sorry but it has not been proven."

Canovi also confirmed that after the fan threatened to press charges, Motta got in touch in an attempt to smooth things over.

PSG's ultras, the Paris Ultras Collective (CUP) also moved to distance themselves and their members from the issue and emphasised their solidarity toward their club "through the good times and the bad."

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