PSG stunned by cancellation of defender's visa to UK

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have said they were stunned by the "incomprehensible situation" after British authorities suddenly revoked defender Serge Aurier's visa.

The Cote d'Ivoire international has not been allowed to travel with the Paris Saint-Germain squad for Wednesday's UEFA Champions League clash away to Arsenal due to "a sudden about-face by the British authorities", according to the Parisian club, reports Xinhua.

It was because of Aurier's September conviction for assaulting a police officer outside a Paris nightclub. The 23-year-old was sentenced to two months for the assault. He has filed an appeal against the decision.

PSG said the club had argued several times against the decision and were further strongly angered that the final decision of the British authorities was only communicated at the eleventh hour.

"Paris Saint-Germain considers this extremely tardive response as a flagrant lack of respect for the Club, given that its player could have been training with the team just hours later at Emirates Stadium," the club said.

"On several occasions, UEFA has also transmitted its total support of Paris Saint-Germain to the British authorities regarding this case, in order to preserve the integrity of its competitions."

Arsenal and PSG are leading Group A standings on 10 points ahead of Wednesday's match, while Basel and Ludogorets Razgrad just earned 1 point each from four games.

--IANS

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