Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: JEAN CATUFFE / DPPI via AFP 16:19 pm, June 01, 2023

The Paris Saint-Germain coach has said Paris Saint-Germain will not celebrate their Ligue 1 title after the serious accident of his substitute goalkeeper Sergio Rico occurred last week. "We are all affected," justified the technician of the Parisian club.

"There will be no party" Saturday to greet the title of Paris Saint-Germain for the sake of goalkeeper Sergio Rico, seriously injured in a horse accident, said Thursday coach Christophe Galtier, the club having however specified to AFP that an award ceremony would be held at the Parc des Princes. "You understand that there will be no party, it's a very difficult week, we are all affected, we went Saturday night from a championship title with a few glasses of champagne to an awakening Sunday morning more than painful," said the technician.

Saturday (21:00) against Clermont for the 38th and last day, "you have to have a lot, a lot of restraint, and bring a lot, a lot, a lot of support and keep hope," said Galtier. PSG, however, told AFP that there would be "festivities" at the Parc des Princes after the match and a cup ceremony rewarding the club's 11th France championship title.

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Hospitalized since Sunday

Sergio Rico, 29, has been hospitalized since Sunday following a horse riding accident in Andalusia, southern Spain. According to several media reports, the player, victim of a traumatic brain injury, was admitted to an intensive care unit at the Virgen del Rocio Hospital in Seville and placed under sedation and respiratory assistance. "The news is the one you also have through the press releases that the hospital of Seville distills. Our doctor is in permanent contact with the medical profession and the family, we do not have more information, "added Galtier.

"Sergio is a strong boy, physically strong, with what we can do we try to send positive vibes and support all his loved ones," commented the coach. The week of training was disrupted by concern for Rico's health. "Everyone is obviously very affected," said Galtier, "we try as best we can to change our minds through training sessions that do not correspond in any way with a match preparation, we make sure to change our minds."

The group is "very united", he assured, and sends "a lot of positive vibes and energy to Sergio and his wife, his mother, his relatives". For Rico who "fights every day, every hour, every minute", there will be "not a tribute" on Saturday night but "a message of support, hope. We will play this game because we have to play it with the best possible behavior."