Paris Saint-Germain have cancelled the match tickets of 450 ultras ahead of their league game against Troyes, it has been claimed.
Ultras had gathered outside PSG's headquarters during the week, where they launched into a foul-mouthed chant against World Cup winner Messi, while others travelled to the house of Brazil star Neymar. Both players could leave the club in the summer, with Mirror Football exclusively revealing the French club are no longer prioritising a new deal for Messi.
Messi had earlier been banned and fined by the French league leaders after taking an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia after last weekend's defeat to Lorient. The internal suspension remains in place despite Messi issuing an apology, meaning the veteran will not feature against Troyes.
According to RMC Sport (via Get French Football News ), some 450 members of the Collectif Ultras Paris group have been blocked from attending the Troyes game. L'Equipe reports that the action from PSG is linked to the protests which took place during the week.
Other members of the travelling support will still be allowed to make the trip, with the ultras said to account for around half of PSG's allocation. Reports in France suggest some of those unable to attend the game may still make the trip east.
With Neymar injured and Messi banned by the club, Christophe Galtier's team will need to push for three crucial points while not at full strength. Lens closed to within three points of the league leaders on Saturday with a victory over Marseille, who dropped to third with the defeat.
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"Paris Saint-Germain most strongly condemns the intolerable and insulting actions of a small group of individuals that took place on Wednesday,” a PSG statement read after the midweek protests. “Whatever the differences of opinion, nothing justifies such actions. The club gives its full support to its players, its staff and all those targeted by such shameful behaviour."
Messi, meanwhile, has responded after his own punishment. The Argentine went on a pre-planned trip to Saudi Arabia, expecting the team to have a day off, only for manager Galtier to call the players in for training after their Lorient loss.
"I thought we had a day off after the game," he said. "I had organised this trip and I could not cancel it. I had cancelled it before. I apologise to my teammates and I am waiting for what the club wants to do with me."
After remaining unbeaten across their 15 league matches before the World Cup, PSG have allowed their title challengers to creep back into contention. All six of their Ligue 1 defeats have come since the turn of the year, with three arriving after Neymar suffered a season-ending injury against Lille in February.
