‘Golden prison’ – Problems mount in PSG’s new training centre

According to L’Équipe , Paris Saint-Germain’s move at the start of the year to a new training centre has brought with it concerns over the infrastructure of the new build and endemic problems with the educational side of their academy with staff on leave, management criticised, and parental discontent. 

Since the opening of PSG’s new training centre in January there has been an increased number of staff on sick leave with up to nine absent last month, including teachers, school officials, and management. The move to Poissy did cause these problems but is thought to have highlighted an already present issue at the club. 

The 2023 appointment of a new head of education, Mehdi Rahoui, has been internally criticised for bringing a harsh and suspicious approach to the role, although others have praised him for installing a sense of order to the job. An internal investigation into allegations of harassment within the education department has been requested by the Social and Economic Committee at PSG. 

A teacher recently resigned, while another, recruited by an academic support company Acadomia, was fired. Two other former teachers are currently in proceedings against the club after they were dismissed from their roles. While, at the start of the 2023 academic year, teachers were also asked to change from a permanent contract to a fixed-term contract. Some who refused were subsequently let go. 

L’Équipe further reports that parents of final-year students sent a letter concerned over the state of the education their children were receiving, with many having to give private lessons to their children, such as with Ethan Mbappé (17). Two classes did not have a Spanish teacher until last month but have impending exams, while some