Aurier revisits the Periscope affair in a Canal+ production

This Friday evening, Canal+ Foot will broadcast a new episode of Detective Mathoux with right‑back Serge Aurier as guest. The former Ivorian international looks back on the Periscope affair, which happened more than ten years ago, to present a staged apology to his former coach Laurent Blanc.

The past of the Periscope affair

More than ten years earlier, the incident known as the Periscope affair put Serge Aurier at the centre of a controversy. The Ivorian international had made insulting remarks towards his coach Laurent Blanc and goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu, both of Paris Saint‑Germain.

Today, the right‑back, aged thirty‑three, is without a club since his departure from the Iranian side Persepolis, which competes in the country's top division. This situation makes him available to reflect on the events that have marked his career.

During the programme, Hervé Mathoux rubs an onion under Aurier's eyes before having him read aloud a prepared text. The set‑up aims to create a dramatic staging for the guest.

« Dear coach, if you knew how I regret. Ten years have passed, and I can't stop thinking about you. I didn't think a word about it. Let's talk over a coffee. I invite you, I insist. Please, coach, forgive me », says the thirty‑three‑year‑old player.

At the time, Laurent Blanc had stated during a press conference that the incident had “taken him very badly”, that he had committed himself to the club's management to bring him to Paris and that he found the situation “pitiful”.

The defender was initially sanctioned by Paris Saint‑Germain, forced to play with the club's CFA. He later returned to the first team for the first leg of the Champions League quarter‑final against Manchester City on 6 April 2016 at the Parc des Princes.