Paris Saint-Germain's women's team has been plunged into controversy and a significant sporting setback after being handed a severe nine-point deduction for a registration error concerning Canadian international Florianne Jourde.
The Bombshell Sanction
On 22 December 2025, the French Football Federation (FFF) issued a stunning verdict that has dramatically altered the landscape of the Première Ligue. The sanction, announced just after the final league fixtures of the year, saw three of PSG's victories this season converted to 3-0 defeats. This decision stems from a failure to correctly obtain an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) for midfielder Florianne Jourde following her move from North America.
The issue was brought to light by fellow top-flight club Fleury, who lodged a formal complaint after their 4-0 defeat to PSG on 8 November. Fleury argued that PSG had not secured the mandatory ITC for Jourde, who had previously played in Canada before attending the University of Southern California.
A Complex Administrative Oversight
PSG's defence centred on what they describe as a good-faith administrative error. The club stated they had requested the ITC from the United States Soccer Federation, which responded that one was not required as Jourde had been part of a university programme, which is not considered professional.
However, the critical detail lay in Jourde's earlier career. Although the Canadian league she played in was amateur, FIFA classifies it as "organised" football, treating it as professional for registration purposes. This meant an ITC from Canada was mandatory, a procedural loophole Fleury successfully identified.
The FFF's disciplinary report noted that PSG was aware of Jourde's matches in Canada but believed she was registered in a university programme and thus did not inform the federation. Furthermore, the club incorrectly answered a direct FFF email in early September, confirming Jourde had not been registered with a club affiliated with a national federation in the prior 30 months.
Severe Sporting Consequences and Club Fury
The immediate impact of the sanction is profound. PSG, who had lost only one league game all season, plummeted from second to fifth place in the table, now a daunting 16 points behind leaders Olympique Lyonnais. The forfeited matches were against Strasbourg (1-0), Le Havre (2-0), and Fleury (4-0).
PSG has labelled the punishment "totally disproportionate" and a "clear injustice." The club argues that the FFF itself validated Jourde's licence at the season's start, qualifying her for all matches, and that FIFA later processed the belated ITC request within 24 hours without penalty, acknowledging the error was administrative. Internally, there is a belief the club has been harshly treated "because they are Paris Saint-Germain."
Compounding a difficult season, PSG were recently eliminated from the UEFA Women's Champions League, finishing 17th out of 18 teams in the new league phase. The points deduction news arrived as players headed for their winter break, with the club subsequently organising a training camp in Jerez, Spain, to regroup. Their revised objective is now a top-three finish to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
PSG have pledged to appeal the decision, promising to pursue every available legal avenue. The ruling has also caused friction within French football, with some suggesting it unfairly benefits other clubs. Lens player Sofia Guellati described it as a "distorted championship" on social media. A decision on PSG's appeal is expected in the coming days.
