Football: Fans storm out as PSG slump closer to trapdoor 10/03/2008 00:00

Paris Saint Germain slumped closer to the French first division trapdoor on Saturday after a 2-0 defeat at Rennes.

   PARIS, March 10, 2008 (AFP) - Paris Saint Germain slumped closer to the
French first division trapdoor on Saturday after a 2-0 defeat at Rennes which
was so appalling that even their own fans walked out in protest.
   The result extended Paul Le Guen's side's winless streak to six league
games and left them fourth from bottom.
   Former Lyon and Rangers boss Le Guen insisted that despite this 11th defeat
of the season he couldn't fault his players' desire.
   "It wasn't a motivational problem this evening. My players showed their
desire, but they became mentally fragile. The more this (poor spell)
continues, the more complicated it becomes. The worry becomes greater."
   He added: "I'm not going to complain about bad luck. we were lacking in
various areas like control, mental strength, but not in motivation.
   'I get the feeling that in their quest to do well they lose the plot.
   "I'm prepared to look at all the answers but we shouldn't do something just
for the sake of acting.
   "It's harder than I expected but I'm going to attack it just as I've done
since I arrived here.
   Rennes went in front just before half-time when PSG defender Mamadou Sakho
headed into his own net as he struggled to clear a free-kick from Olivier
Thomert.
   Jimmy Briand grabbed Rennes' second goal after 50 minutes.
   Jerome Leroy had the ball taken off him by Jeremy Clement who released
Briand to score confidently past Mickael Landreau in the PSG goal.
   That sparked a dramatic walk-out by around 100 PSG fans who had made the
trip to Rennes.
   It was the latest protest by the slumping club's fans, the hardcore of whom
have already boycotted the first 15 minutes of every home match since December as a way of registering their discontent.
   Even PSG reaching the League Cup final has failed to quell their mounting
frustration at their team's failings.
   PSG could have slipped into the relegation zone had Toulouse defeated
Sochaux but two first-half goals from Mevlud Erding gave Sochaux a 2-1 win
which lifted them to third from bottom but on the same number of points, 31,
as PSG.
   In the battle for European places, Nancy consolidated their third place
with a 2-0 home success over Monaco with a Francois Modesto own goal and a
Youssouf Hadji strike guaranteeing the three points.
   Nancy now have 48 points, four behind Bordeaux who tackle champions Lyon on Sunday.
   Lyon, knocked out of the Champions League in midweek by Manchester United, sit three points clear and will keep faith with fit-again Brazilian defender
Cris, to the detriment of Jean-Alain Boumsong, while Laurent Blanc's Bordeaux
welcome back deep-lying midfielder Alou Diarra from suspension.
   Marseille, still in the UEFA Cup, will on Sunday seek to obtain a home win
over St Etienne which could take the southerners into third spot, which come
season's end will be worth a place in the Champions League preliminaries.

AFP