PSG praying Pauleta primed in bid to beat the drop

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

PARIS (AFP) — Just over a decade ago, with the likes of George Weah in attack and David Ginola on the wing, Paris Saint Germain ranked as one of Europe's top clubs.

But a home loss on Sunday against sixth-placed Nice would leave the capital club staring at the drop after a dismal season whose black clouds did not lift even with last month's League Cup final win over Lens.

Even that success brought only approbrium as PSG fans sparked outrage by unfurling a banner during the match calling the visiting team "paedophiles" and "inbreds," prompting condemnation from French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Police are investigating following the incident which saw the Parisians mock rival fans they derided as "paedophiles, unemployed, inbreds" in bidding them "welcome to...