Samir Nasri has stepped back from his broadcasting role for the Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal in Budapest, following sustained harassment from Paris Saint-Germain ultras during the semi-final in Munich. The retired midfielder confirmed to L'Equipe that abuse targeting his mother and personal circumstances prompted him to withdraw from pitch-side duties, though he will still contribute to post-match studio analysis.
The former Marseille midfielder faced relentless taunts at the Allianz Arena during PSG's dramatic 6-5 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich. His status as a one-time Ligue 1 rival made him a focal point for hostility, a sharp contrast to how former PSG winger David Ginola was received by the same crowd. The abuse extended beyond typical football rivalry, with supporters using megaphones to chant offensive slogans referencing both his mother and an ongoing tax dispute.
Tax Controversy Fuels Stadium Hostility
The chants alluded to a March controversy when French tax authorities reportedly seized approximately €5.5 million in assets over alleged unpaid taxes. Investigators claimed Nasri spent more than 200 days annually in France despite his Dubai residency, citing 212 food deliveries to Paris via the Deliveroo app as evidence. His legal team has denied the debt entirely, but the damaging headlines weaponised against him illustrate how off-pitch scandals can intensify fan animosity during live broadcasts.
Nasri told L'Equipe: "What bothered me was that they insulted my mother. It's part of the game as a former Marseille player to get insulted by Parisian fans." He acknowledged that stepping away from the final itself was the right call, noting that broadcaster Canal+ would benefit from having committed supporters—Ginola for PSG and Robert Pires for Arsenal—rather than a neutral voice. Despite withdrawing from pitch-side duties, the 38-year-old remains part of the television coverage, joining studio analysis alongside goalkeeper-turned-pundit Mickaël Landreau after the final whistle in a controlled setting away from hostile crowds.
The decision underscores growing tensions between European football's ultras and broadcast personnel, raising questions about safety and professionalism at major continental fixtures. Arsenal's push into the final marks their first appearance in the competition's showpiece since 2006, while PSG aim to defend their European crown against English opposition.
