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06th Sep 2022

Kylian Mbappe and PSG boss Christophe Galtier criticised for response to climate change question

Callum Boyle

Galtier was asked if PSG would introduce new travel measures

Paris Saint-Germain boss Christophe Galtier has been criticised for making a ‘sarcastic’ response to a question about climate change.

Galtier was joined by talisman Kylian Mbappé for media duties on Monday ahead of PSG’s Champions League group stage opener against Juventus on Tuesday night.

During the press conference, Galtier was asked about the issues surrounding climate change and if the club had considered using train travel as an alternative to flying in an effort to be more sustainable.

Perplexed by the question, Galtier turned to Mbappé, who then proceeded to burst out laughing. A reminder, here, that Kylian Mbappe is a 23-year-old grown man and that this was a pertinent question, considering the question pertained PSG getting a private flight to Nantes when a two-hour train journey would have been the greener option.

‘We’re used to more relevant and responsible answers from you’

The 56-year-old did eventually answer the question – albeit sarcastically – saying: “I thought I would get that question,” he told Get French Football News.

“To be very honest with you, this morning we spoke with the company that organises our trips, and we’re trying to see if we can travel by sand yacht.”

The question had been asked after PSG made the decision to fly to their Ligue 1 game against Nantes on Sunday, despite the journey by train taking no more than two hours.

French sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra has since criticised the former Lille manager for his comments. She tweeted: “M. Galtier, we’re used to more relevant and responsible answers from you – shall we speak about this?”

Anne Hidalgo, who is the current mayor of Paris, also responded, saying:

“No, but it’s not okay to answer stuff like that???? Wake up guys??? This is Paris.”

PSG are hoping that this year will finally be the year that they break their Champions League curse after failing to get beyond the last 16 stage last season, collapsing in a second-leg defeat to eventual winners Real Madrid.

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