Samir Nasri resigns from pundit role at Champions League final (Image: Getty Images)
Former Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri has resigned from his role as a pundit for the Champions League final after receiving abusive language from a PSG supporter. The Gunners are set to take on the French giants in Budapest on Saturday as they bid to win their first ever Champions League.
Nasri, who played 125 games for the North London side between 2008 and 2011, was previously confirmed to be a pundit on French broadcaster Canal+. However, he was reportedly targeted by PSG fans during the semi-final against Bayern Munich, and it was subsequently announced that he would no longer play the role.
He told L’Equipe: “Yes, that’s true. But as a former Marseille player, it’s part of the game to be insulted by the Paris fans…I think they had other things to do, like celebrate reaching the final (smiles).”
He continued: “What bothered me was that they insulted my mother… So there’s no reason why I won’t go to Budapest for the final.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve been insulted in a stadium, and it certainly won’t be the last. And if I let it happen, I’d stop being on TV, I’d stop going to games.
“It’s PSG vs Arsenal and I’d rather have Roberto Pires, a die-hard Gunners fan, and David Ginola, a die-hard PSG fan, on the panel than have a neutral person like me on the panel.
“Arsenal is also my former club, but I don’t have a special relationship with the supporters.”
Nasri’s decision to withdraw comes just weeks after he predicted his former club Arsenal would be unable to perform in the final.
“In terms of PSG’s development, I think they are the favorites,” he said. “Arsenal, on the other hand, will be in their favorite position. They will wait for PSG. But I’m looking at PSG.”
The former Arsenal midfielder was to be featured as a pundit on French television (Image: Getty Images)
Nasri has stepped back from his role as a pundit due to his troubled relationship with PSG supporters, but it is unlikely that the Frenchman will receive a warm welcome from Arsenal fans.
His move from the Emirates to Manchester City in 2011 remains one of the most controversial transfers in football.
In a lecture at the time, he claimed that his choice was driven purely by a desire for silverware, not financial gain.
He said: “Manchester City didn’t offer me triple the money I was making at Arsenal. Arsenal also offered me an extension.
“I want titles. I’m 24 years old and everyone says I’m a good player, but I haven’t won anything. I loved my time at Arsenal, but I’ve never won anything with Arsenal.”
“This year their best player, Fabregas, left. If you go into a team with Aguero, Silva, Tevez, Kompany and others, you have to be confident of winning trophies. I have four years to win trophies.”
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