Paris Saint-Germain Face Backlash For 'Inappropriate' Mockery Of Train Plea

French football giants Paris Saint-Germain faced an angry backlash Tuesday after coach Christophe Galtier and star player Kylian Mbappe mocked a suggestion that they should take the train rather than private planes for short-haul travel. PSG notched up an easy 3-0 away victory against Nantes to stay top of Ligue 1 on their trip to the western French city, which is a modest 380 kilometres (240 miles) from Paris.

The Qatar-owned side boasted on social media that they had made the return trip with shirt sponsors Qatar Airways but their travel choices have come under increased scrutiny over the carbon footprint.

"Paris-Nantes is less than two hours by TGV," said Alain Krakovitch, the head of state-owned railway company SNCF's TGV high-speed passenger trains, on Twitter.

"I renew our proposal for a TGV offer adapted to your specific needs in line with our common interests -- safety, speed, services and eco-mobility," he added.

- 'The wrong moment' -

But during Monday's press conference ahead of the Parisians' Champions League home game against Juventus, Galtier made light of the criticism while Mbappe bent double in uncontrolled laughter beside him in apparent incredulity over the controversy.

"We had a chat with our travel organisers earlier to see if we can travel by sand-yacht," Galtier said, of the sailed beach buggies popular on certain French beaches.

"Mr Galtier -- we have become accustomed to more relevant and more responsible answers from you. Shall we talk about it?" Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said on Twitter.

Commenting on how Mbappe guffawed after the journalist asked the question about taking the train, Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said: "I adore Mbappe and it can happen to all of us that we burst