Paris Saint-Germain was accused on Tuesday of not taking climate change seriously after coach Christophe Galtier and star Kylian Mbappe scoffed at a suggestion that they should take the train instead of private planes for short-distance travel.
Monday at a news conference, Galtier and Mbappe were asked if they had addressed SNCF’s offer to cover their transport to away games.
Galtier originally smiled at the concept, while Mbappe doubled over in laughter at the suggestion; the clip went viral on social media almost immediately.
Galtier said sarcastically, “We spoke with our travel organizers earlier to see if we may travel by sand-yacht.” Sand-yachts are sail-powered beach buggies that are popular on several French beaches.
On Tuesday, politicians, activists, and even the prime minister stepped in, blasting both men for being out-of-touch and arrogant at a time when Europe is facing an energy crisis and escalating temperatures resulting from climate change.
“I think it’s crucial that students understand the society we live in, and that they are aware that the climate issue is no longer a theory about the future, but a present reality,”
While visiting a Paris police station, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne informed reporters.
Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire deemed Galtier’s remark “unacceptable,” while Paris’ left-leaning mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted, “Isn’t it inappropriate to respond to such nonsense???? Wake up, men! That’s Paris!”
Private jets
The dispute erupted over the weekend when PSG defeated Nantes 3-0 on the road to maintain their Ligue 1 lead in the French city located 380 kilometers (240 miles) west of Paris but accessible by high-speed train.
The team, which is controlled by an investment fund of Qatar’s largest gas producer, claimed on social media that they had returned with jersey sponsors Qatar Airways, but their flying option was openly questioned due to the airline’s carbon footprint.
Alain Krakovitch, head of SNCF’s TGV high-speed passenger trains, tweeted after the event, “Paris to Nantes is less than two hours by TGV.”
“I am reiterating our proposal for a TGV offer tailored to your particular needs in accordance with our shared values of safety, speed, services, and eco-mobility,”
he added.
After PSG’s 2-1 Champions League victory against Juventus on Tuesday, Galtier apologized for his statements.
“Believe me when I say I am concerned about global warming and our world. I am conscious of the obligation we have,”
Galtier revealed to Canal Plus.
Also see: Dinamo Zagreb defeats Chelsea FC 1-0 in the Champions League.
The joke was poorly timed and in poor taste, and I regret making it.
The dispute arises in the context of a growing call from environmental activists in France for restrictions on private jet travel in order to minimize greenhouse gas emissions.
Pressure group Attac had criticized PSG star Lionel Messi on Friday for his usage of private air travel.
“From June through August, Messi took his own plane on 52 journeys, resulting in 1,502 tons of CO2 emissions.” That is the amount a single French individual would be responsible for in 150 years.
it said.
During the summer, star French attacker Karim Benzema was criticized for posting a video from his vacation in Miami in which he displayed his wealth — and carbon footprint — with sports vehicles, jet skis, and motor boats.
Numerous clubs from the major Spanish, Italian, and English leagues, like Juventus and Liverpool, travel by rail frequently.
Role model?
Communication experts were stunned by the insensitivity of the PSG manager’s response on the same day that President Emmanuel Macron urged the French to reduce their use of air conditioning and heating to conserve energy.
This winter, Europe confronts a severe energy shortage as a result of Russia’s decision to cease gas exports to the continent.
Even though Mbappe is only 23 years old, he has cultivated a reputation as a mature, socially responsible athlete. His behavior during the press conference was an exception to this image.
When asked his opinion on the train travel option during a news conference, he said, “I have no ideas.”
Tuesday, his reps declined to comment when contacted by AFP.
Valerie Masson-Delmotte, a French climatologist, stated that she wanted Mbappe to set an example.
“Because he inspires so many people, what he says and what he does have a far greater impact than anything scientists might say or do,”
she explained on France Inter radio.
© Agence France-Presse