PSG boss Laurent Blanc still fuming at Serge Aurier row
The right-back has apologised after a live question-and-answer session on Periscope came to light in which he insulted Blanc and several PSG players.
Aurier was on Sunday suspended for the last-16 first leg at Parc des Princes and faces further disciplinary action.
PSG told the media Blanc would answer only one question on Aurier at yesterday’s pre-match media conference, but the former France boss returned to the subject time and again.
“How did I react? Very badly,” Blanc said.
“This is a democracy, we are free to think what we think, we can have our own opinions.
“(But) that guy, that boy... two years ago I committed myself to make him come to Paris and I think what I saw yesterday that’s all the thank you I got. I think that’s pitiful.
“I won’t say more, because we’re here to talk about the Chelsea game.”
But a visibly irritated Blanc continued, although he declined to address a question on his authority over the dressing room.
He added: “He’s a boy that should be preparing today for a last-16 game of the Champions League.
“That would’ve been better instead of staying at home not knowing what to do.
“The player is a big boy, he can do what he wants, but he’s penalising the club through the image he gives and what he said.”
Ironically, Blanc promised to address Aurier directly, not through the media.
“If he’s got a problem with me, I won’t use you journalists to handle the problem. That’s for sure,” Blanc added.
Blanc denied the outburst had impacted on preparations for another meeting with Chelsea with the clubs being drawn together for a third successive season.
“We would like to have prepared with a little bit more calm, but it’s a player that gets out by himself,” Blanc added.
“Of course we would prefer to avoid that but the most important thing is tomorrow’s Champions League game.
“One player won’t play, but for the rest the preparation is the same as usual.”
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