Achraf Hakimi says PSG’s French Super Cup defeat was shaped by ‘non-neutral’ venue

Achraf Hakimi has backed the Collectif Ultras Paris’ criticism of the decision to stage the French Super Cup at Lens’ Stade Bollaert-Delelis, saying Paris St-Germain were denied the conditions expected in a final.

PSG captain Hakimi said the match should have been played at a neutral ground with an equal allocation of tickets for both sets of supporters. The Collectif Ultras Paris boycotted the game for that reason, although other PSG fans travelled to Lens and the visitors’ section was eventually full.

“We did everything to win: we created chances and controlled the game. But there are situations you cannot control, such as playing on this non-neutral pitch without our supporters,” Morocco right-back Hakimi told Ligue 1+.

“It is a final, so I think we should have played under the same conditions. That was not the case. It is not an excuse. We gave everything to win, but unfortunately we did not score.”

The venue for the match had proved difficult to settle. As with several previous editions, the LFP initially wanted to take the French Super Cup abroad, with Cote d’Ivoire and Congo-Brazzaville among the locations considered.

The decision was ultimately made to hold the fixture in France. A draw was then used to determine whether PSG or Lens would host the game, with Lens selected. The final therefore took place at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

The Collectif Ultras Paris objected to the arrangement and chose not to attend, arguing that a final should be played on neutral territory and that tickets should be divided equally between the two clubs.

Hakimi said the experience contrasted with other major finals involving PSG, where supporters of both teams are present in comparable numbers.

“In those cases, the match is played on neutral ground, in front of supporters of both teams. Here, it felt more like an away league match. If we want to improve as a league, we have to learn from this. But once again, it is not an excuse, even if it gave them a slight advantage.”

PSG manager Luis Enrique did not discuss the choice of stadium after the match, instead focusing on his side’s performance. Despite the defeat, the Spaniard said he was pleased with the level shown by his players.

“We played at a higher level than I expected. We created chances, but we were unable to score. That is football. I saw positive aspects in our play. Congratulations to our opponent and let us move on.”

The defeat was only the fourth time Luis Enrique had lost a final as a manager. He had won 17 of his previous finals.

Athletic Bilbao, France, Chelsea and now Lens are the only opponents to have prevented Luis Enrique from lifting a trophy in a final.