Nasri withdraws from Champions League final punditry after abuse from PSG fans

Samir Nasri has withdrawn from his punditry duties for the Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG in Budapest on Saturday after being abused by Paris Saint-Germain supporters. The former Arsenal and France midfielder had been confirmed as a pundit for French broadcaster Canal+ before announcing his decision to step back.

Nasri, who made 125 appearances for Arsenal between 2008 and 2011, was targeted by PSG fans during their semi-final against Bayern Munich. Speaking to L’Equipe, he confirmed the abuse but was measured in his response. “Yes, it’s true. But it’s part of the game as a former Marseille player to get insulted by Parisian fans… Even if I think they had other things to do, like celebrating qualifying for the final,” he said.

However, Nasri drew a line at one particular element of the abuse. “What bothered me was that they insulted my mother,” he told the French outlet, before clarifying that the incident was not the direct reason for his withdrawal. “It’s not the first time I’ve been insulted in a stadium, and it certainly won’t be the last. And if I let it get to me, I’d stop doing TV and I’d stop going to matches.”

Instead, Nasri framed his decision in terms of editorial balance, pointing to the appointments of Robert Pires and David Ginola as better fits for a fixture of this nature. “It’s PSG-Arsenal, it’s better to have Robert Pires, who’s a die-hard Gunners fan, and David Ginola, who’s a die-hard PSG fan, than someone neutral like me on the panel,” he said. “Arsenal is also my former club, but I don’t have an extraordinary relationship with its supporters.”

That strained relationship with the Arsenal fanbase dates back to his contentious move to Manchester City in the summer of 2011. Nasri insisted at the time that the decision was driven by ambition rather than finances. “Manchester City did not offer me three times what I was earning at Arsenal,” he said. “Titles, I hope. I am 24 and everyone says I am a good player but I haven’t won anything.”

His withdrawal comes shortly after he publicly tipped PSG to win the final. “In terms of what PSG is developing, I see them as favorites,” he said. “On the other hand, Arsenal will be in a phase that they like. They will wait for PSG. But I see PSG.”

Arsenal are chasing their first ever Champions League title when they face PSG in Budapest on Saturday.