Aurier banished to reserve team until March 21

Paris Saint-Germain have banished Serge Aurier to their reserve team until March 21 following the full-back’s remarkable social media comments.

Aurier aimed controversial remarks at coach Laurent Blanc and several team-mates in a Periscope video on February 13 and has not played for the French champions since. 

The 23-year-old publicly apologised for his actions soon after, but PSG have taken a hard-line stance in opting to suspend him from first-team duties until after next month’s international break.

In a statement released on Friday, PSG said: “At a time when Paris Saint-Germain must remain focused on key dates, the management of the club must keep the professional group free of any potential trouble and has decided that Serge Aurier will be available to the CFA [second team] as of Monday February 29 until Sunday March 20 inclusive.

“At the same time, the player has offered to perform various actions for Paris Saint-Germain’s Club Foundation.

“While he hopes to soon celebrate with his supporters a fourth French title in a row, the club wishes to reaffirm its full confidence in his coach, his staff and his players.”

Aurier’s punishment means he will miss six first-team matches, including the second leg of PSG’s Champions League round-of-16 tie with Chelsea on March 9.