Will soon only be travelling in a sailing car? The coach of the PSG football club has attracted a lot of criticism with an ironic answer to a journalist’s question who wanted to know what the club’s stance was on more sustainable travel.
The question at a press briefing on Monday evening was prompted by the news that PSG had travelled to a match in Nantes by private jet – with a flight time of 20 minutes.
Alain Krakovich, rail director for TGV and Intercités, had pointed out on Twitter that the Paris-Nantes route takes less than 2 hours by train. He offered the club a personalised offer so that next time they could travel by TVG.
Because he had obviously anticipated the demand for more environmentally friendly travel, the coach let a long pause in his speech pass. Looking over at striker Kylian Mbappé, the latter bursts out laughing.
After a few seconds, coach Christophe Galtier says: “I knew we would have this question. To be perfectly honest, this morning we spoke to the company that organises our travel and we’re looking into using a sailing coach to get around. So.”
At this, the coach initially keeps his composure and looks towards the journalist:inside with a serious expression. However, the answer led to a wave of criticism, especially against the backdrop of rising petrol prices and numerous restrictions for ordinary citizens due to the energy crisis.
Paris-Nantes est en moins de 2 heures en @TGVINOUI @PSG_inside, je re-re-renouvelle notre proposition d’offre TGV adaptée à vos besoins spécifiques, pour nos intérêts communs : sécurité, rapidité, services et eco mobilité https://t. co/FJCW6M7Mwe
– Alain Krakovitch (@alainkrakovitch) September 4, 2022
A lot of people spoke out angrily on social media – including the Minister of Sport and Olympic and Paralympic Games, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra: “Mr Galtier, we are used to more relevant and responsible answers from you – do we want to talk about this? “
M.Galtier, vous nous avez habitués à des réponses plus pertinentes et plus responsables – on en parle ? @PSG_inside @CBeaune Sobriété Mbappe Galtier psg TGV https://t. co/gzmcjI4N8J
– Amélie Oudéa-Castéra (@AOC1978) September 5, 2022
The mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo also vented her anger on Twitter, saying, “Still up for giving answers like that? Wake up guys.”
French media spoke of a “polémique XXL” for the PSG.
Non mais ça va pas de répondre des trucs pareil On se réveille les gars ? Ici c’est Paris @PSG_inside @PierreRabadan @egregoire @David_Belliard https://t. co/wnZi7vMJyA
– Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) September 5, 2022
In addition to the proposal for adjusted train fares, the French Beach Sailing Association also came forward with an offer to the French football club PSG. At first, the F**édération Française de Char à Voile** was happy about the attention for the sport.
The president of the federation reacted to Galtier’s ‘joke’ a little later on the radio station Europe1 with a smile: “I have the pleasure of telling him that you can go to Nantes from Paris by sailing car. You only need nine hours, a well directed and constant wind. It costs even less. Between €100 and €150 you can go by beach sailer, with a carbon footprint of 0. “