Paris Saint-Germain may have illegally streamed their own match against Manchester United on Facebook. The French champions sealed a convincing win over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side on Tuesday night with goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe ending the Norwegian’s unbeaten run at Old Trafford.
Some PSG fans were able to tune in and watch the victory via the club’s official Facebook page, with Le Parisien reporting over 1.4 million people watched the last-16 first-leg clash on the social media platform. French broadcaster RMC, however, hold exclusive broadcasting rights for the competition in France, having paid over €350million to show Champions League and Europa League games this season.
The live stream appeared on PSG’s Facebook page following a number of reports of problems with RMC Sport’s streaming service, with many users unable to tune in on Wednesday evening. Journalist Philippe Da Costa tweeted a screenshot of the live feed with the words: “What? The game is broadcast on the PSG Facebook page?!???”
What ? Le match est diffusé sur la page Facebook du PSG ?!??? https://t.co/o88whR7toI #MUPSG pic.twitter.com/TbxcjfdwY7
— Philippe Da Costa (@Philippsch) February 12, 2019
Le Parisien report PSG have an agreement to broadcast the game on Facebook in Brazil, but there is still no explanation as to why the game why thousands of users in France had free access to a supposed “pirate” broadcast of the game.
Dani Alves said Paris Saint-Germain have to win the Champions League once and for all this season following their first-leg victory over Manchester United in the last 16.PSG have dominated domestically in Ligue 1, but the French club’s owners crave European success, having never won the Champions League. Asked if the Champions League is PSG’s main target this season, veteran full-back Alves said post-match: “No, we invest because we have money, but it is not primordial.
“Our goal is to win every competition. We work every day for it. To reach our goals, either the Cup, the Champions or the Ligue 1. But if you can win the Champions it will be welcome. I think we have to lose the virginity in this competition this season once and for all. We are working hard for it.”
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED AT OLD TRAFFORD!!
We take a 2-0 lead to the second leg at the Parc des Princes on March 6! #MUPSG #AllezParis ?? pic.twitter.com/z2l3zQqqRK
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 12, 2019
United were in the midst of an 11-game unbeaten streak since December but the Red Devils crashed to their first defeat under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. PSG also inflicted the heaviest home European loss on United, who were left with a mountain to climb ahead of the return leg in Paris on March 6.
“I am not scared of any comeback, because if you are scared you can’t reach any goal,” Alves added. “I think the past is the past, and you create history, don’t tell them.”