Hakimi blasts Bollaert venue as Lens‑PSG final feels like Ligue 1

Lens defeated Paris Saint‑Germain 1‑0 at the Bollaert Stadium in the French Trophée des Champions on Sunday, with Florian Thauvin scoring the decisive goal. The loss prompted right‑back Achraf Hakimi to argue that the showdown should have been played on neutral ground.

Venue choice sparks controversy

The Ligue de Football Professionnel chose Bollaert as host after a June draw, placing the final on Lens’s ground. The decision followed PSG’s recent league loss to Lens and Lens’s Coupe de France triumph earlier in spring.

Florian Thauvin scored the only goal, giving Lens a 1‑0 lead they kept until the final whistle. Kyllian Antonio was sent off at the end of the first half for a foul on Maghnes Akliouche, leaving PSG a man down.

The match ended 1‑0, confirming Lens as the Trophée des Champions winners. The ChampionsLens-PSG clash underscored the debate over venue selection for French finals.

Lens upset forces PSG to widen Ligue 1 title focus

Hakimi told Ligue 1+ that “we did everything to win, we created chances, we controlled the whole match, but playing on a non‑neutral ground is something we cannot control.” He added that “this is not an excuse; we did everything to win, unfortunately we did not score.”

The Collectif Ultras Paris boycotted the trip to Bollaert, protesting the venue decision. Only a few Paris supporters were present, while the usual Ultras crowd remained absent.

Hakimi slams LFP decision as Lens upset PSG in trophy clash

Et Hakimi said “today it felt more like a Ligue 1 match, since we were playing away,” urging future finals to be neutral. He concluded that Lens’s win will help grow the French championship, but the team must keep working to regain form.