Barcelona and PSG Boycott Interviews After Pundit’s Lamine Yamal Comment

Highlights

• Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain snubbed Spanish TV interviews after inappropriate comments about Lamine Yamal.
• German Burgos’ inappropriate remark was condemned online, and both clubs demanded an apology.
• Raphinha starred in Barcelona’s thrilling win as they secured a 3-2 triumph against PSG in the Champions League.

Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain refused to do interviews with Spanish TV after the two sides clashed in the Champions League quarter-final at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday. The clubs took this stance after former Atletico Madrid assistant manager German Burgos made an inappropriate comment towards Barca’s 16-year-old starlet Lamine Yamal.

Burgos – who also used to play for Atletico – was working for Movistar Plus as a pundit and was commenting while Yamal was filmed juggling the ball. This is where the inappropriate remark was made, as Burgos said, per the Daily Mail: “If it doesn’t go well for him, he could end up at a traffic light.”

This comment was a reference to people who juggle for change at traffic lights and has been condemned online as an insensitive comment that borders on racism. The involved clubs demanded an apology on air and from the studio before they would allow their players to carry out interviews with the channel.

Burgos Apologises on Live TV

The two clubs carried out interviews with other broadcasters

After the request for an apology, Burgos would go on to say: “It was a comment made without the intention of hurting anyone. If anyone felt offended, I apologise publicly.” This sentiment was then echoed by those working on the channel and presenter Ricardo Sierra explained the situation to those watching and expecting interviews with the players. Sierra said:

“I understand that many spectators expected us to have a conversation or interview with Barca. But PSG and Barca have notified us that they were not going to attend to us because they were tremendously angry with a comment that was made on our set.”

The players and managers of the two teams were more than happy to carry out media duties for other broadcasters after Barcelona’s thrilling 3-2 victory. The action on the pitch was wonderful on the night as Xavi’s side gave themselves an advantage to take back to Spain for the second leg.

Raphinha Stars in Epic Barcelona Win

The Brazilian bagged a brace

Former Leeds United winger Raphinha was the star of the show as Barcelona ran out 3-2 winners in Paris in an extraordinary back-and-forth match. PSG looked to start the last eight tie positively, but the French champions fell behind shortly before half-time as Raphinha found a way past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

However, an exceptional start to the second period saw the Parisiens turn the game on its head with quickfire goals from ex-Barca winger Ousmane Dembele and Portuguese midfielder Vitinha. Many expected the Ligue 1 outfit to go on to see out the victory but a sensational first-time volley from Raphinha pulled the visiting team level before Andreas Christensen headed home from a corner with his first touch of the game after being substituted on.

There’s less than a week until Luis Enrique heads back to Camp Nou and the Spanish boss will need to set his team up to secure a victory on the night to have a chance of qualification for the last four of Europe’s elite competition.

Yamal is One of Europe’s Most Exciting Prospects

The youngster has been compared to a young Lionel Messi

The 16-year-old started the game for Barcelona as one of the best young players in world football. Playing regularly for one of the biggest clubs on the planet before the age of 17 is a remarkable feat and this has led to comparisons between Yamal and a certain Lionel Messi.

Both left-footed players who broke through as right-wingers have similar attributes at a young age, but there’s a very long way to go for the Spaniard to come anywhere near reaching the heights of Messi. Barca manager, Xavi was full of praise for the young superstar in 2023 after he made his way into the senior set-up:

“Lamine Yamal’s decision-making is almost always correct and right. That’s surprising for someone who just turned 16 years old. I hope he will be here for many years at Barça because I think he is a player who can define an era, but let’s take it easy.”

The future is certainly bright for the teenager, and reaching the semi-final of the Champions League as an active member of the first-team squad would be an incredible feat for a player his age.

Statistics in this article are courtesy of FotMob.