PSG investigate claims club rejected academy player because he was black

PSG have launched an investigation following claims by a recent report that the club used racial profiling when scouting for new academy recruits.

A report by Mediapart and TV programme Envoye Special also alleges that one prospective new player was not signed by PSG due to the colour of his skin.

Scouts for the French club were required to note the ethnicity of a prospective new recruit of club-issued forms, the report claims, which PSG states was "introduced at the sole personal initiative of the head of this department."

In a statement, representatives for PSG said: "Paris Saint-Germain reaffirms its firm condemnation of all forms of discrimination, racism or ethnic monitoring.

"Paris Saint-Germain confirms that forms with illegal content were used between 2013 and 2018 by the training centre’s department responsible for player scouting outside the Ile de France region.

"On being made aware of this at the start of October 2018, Paris Saint-Germain launched an internal investigation to understand how such practices could have existed and to decide on the necessary measures to be taken.

"As the emergence of the club’s young talents proves, scouting at Paris Saint-Germain is decided solely on a skills and behavioural basis, both on the pitch and within the group.

"These forms contained an unacceptable identification field.

"The club’s general management at no time was aware of an ethnic monitoring within the scouting department or ever in possession of such a form.

"In view of the information mentioned, these forms betray the spirit and values of Paris Saint-Germain."

Mediapart’s report claims an internal investigation was launched by PSG in 2014, after scout Serge Fournier stated that the club "didn’t want us to recruit players born in Africa, because you are never sure of their date of birth."

According to the report, Fournier is also said to have listed a French youth international, Yann Gboho, as "West Indian," which sparked the investigation.

The report also claims that the Ligue 1 side only signed one black player for their academy between 2013 and 2018.

Furthermore, it alleges that PSG’s former Chief Scout Marc Westerloppe said: "There are too many West Indians and Africans in Paris" and was dismayed at the direction the club was taking.

AS state that since the report came to light, PSG have made amendments to their code of conduct and ethical procedures.

It comes as a fresh blow to the club following the Football Leaks documents which claimed the club attempted to sidestep FFP rules.

PSG were named along with Manchester City in the report, which alleged that both clubs reached settlements with UEFA to avoid tough sanctions.

Current FIFA President Gianni Infantino was in his previous role as UEFA General secretary and is said to have been involved with settlement negotiations.

Infantino has since said that the deals "saved European club football."

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