The Paris Saint-Germain side officially secured their 14th Ligue 1 title with a hard-fought victory at Lens’ Bollaert-Delelis Stadium on Wednesday evening. Yet the match was overshadowed by an intense exchange of provocative banners between the rival fan groups, each seeking to gain the psychological upper hand.

Around 1,000 travelling PSG supporters fired the first shot in the propaganda war, unfurling a sarcastic banner that struck at the heart of Lens’ title ambitions: «Lens champion, fini d’y croire… retournez boire!!!!» The message was a biting remark aimed at Lens’ fading hopes of toppling PSG from their perch.

The Lens faithful responded in kind, targeting PSG’s most vocal supporter faction. Their riposte read: «Frustré de pas avoir d’alcool au Qatar? CUP bâtard» — a direct jab at the Collectif Ultras Paris and the restrictions on alcohol sales in Qatar, where PSG played a recent Champions League match.

Earlier in the game, Lens supporters had already aired their grievances with banners directed at the French Football League (LFP) and club president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, reflecting the deep-seated tensions simmering beneath the surface of French football.