PSG ultras blast 'overpaid mercenaries' ahead of crunch Champions League clash

Paris Saint-Germain ultras showed their discontent with the club and their team, despite being 16 points clear at the top of Ligue 1, during Friday night’s win over Rennes.

A late Kylian Mbappe goal saw Mauricio Pochettino’s side record a late victory in another underwhelming performance, but it was events off the pitch which may prove a bigger story.

The French club’s ultras launched a protest in which their Auteuil stand of the Parc des Princes was empty for the first 25 minutes, while there was no chanting or support for the rest of the first half.

There were over 20 banners unveiled by the ultras which were a direct attack on the club’s hierarchy and playing staff, whom they described as ‘overpaid mercenaries’.

The demonstrations from the fans came just four days before the French club face a season-defining Champions League Round of 16 clash against Real Madrid.

Not only did the ultras not enter the stadium for the opening 25 minutes, but they blocked all entrances of their stand before remaining silent upon entering midway through the first half.

One of their multiple banners explained, in a message to their players: ‘A half to prove our discontent. How many will it take to prove your commitment?’

In an even stronger message, the ultras held up the line: 'They also choose their matches. We’ll do the same.’

Another banner read: ‘We sing with passion for players with no motivation, while another blasted the ‘overpaid mercenaries’ in their squad.

The one player who was spared from the criticism was the club’s captain Marquinhos, who was described by one banner as the ‘example to follow’ for the rest of his teammates.

Referencing the club’s recent elimination from the Coupe de France, another banner spelled out: