Ex-Arsenal star 'pulls out' of Champions League final punditry after receiving abuse

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Former Arsenal star Samir Nasri has backed out of his role as a pundit for the Champions League final following abuse by PSG fans. The Gunners are set to take on the French giants in Budapest on Saturday as they continue their search for a first Champions League crown.

Nasri - who made 125 appearances for the North London side between 2008 and 2011 - was previously confirmed as a pundit by French channel Canal+. But it has now been announced that he will not fulfill the role, having reportedly been abused by PSG fans during their semi-final clash with Bayern Munich .

Speaking to L’Equipe , he said: "Yes, it’s true. But it’s part of the game as a former Marseille player to get insulted by Parisian fans… Even if I think they had other things to do, like celebrating qualifying for the final (smiles)."

He added: “What bothered me was that they insulted my mother... That’s not why I’m not going to Budapest for the final.

"It’s not the first time I’ve been insulted in a stadium, and it certainly won’t be the last. And if I let it get to me, I’d stop doing TV and I’d stop going to matches.

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"It's PSG-Arsenal, it's better to have Robert Pires , who's a die-hard Gunners fan, and David Ginola, who's a die-hard PSG fan, than someone neutral like me on the panel. Arsenal is also my former club, but I don't have an extraordinary relationship with its supporters."

Nasri’s decision to pull out comes just weeks after he predicted former side Arsenal to lose in the final. He said: “In terms of what PSG is developing, I see them as favorites. On the other hand, Arsenal will be in a phase that they like. They will wait for PSG. But I see PSG.”

While Nasri’s relationship with PSG supporters has seen him turn down his punditry gig, the Frenchman would be unlikely to get a warm response from Arsenal fans, either. His move from the Emirates to Manchester City in 2011 was a controversial switch.

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Speaking at the time, he claimed his decision was fuelled by his desire for major silverware, not money. He said: "Manchester City did not offer me three times what I was earning at Arsenal. Arsenal offered me an extension as well.

"Titles, I hope. I am 24 and everyone says I am a good player but I haven't won anything. I loved my time with Arsenal but I have never won anything with them. This year, their best player left – Fábregas. If you are going into a team with Agüero, Silva, Tevez, Kompany and all the rest, you must be confident of winning a trophy. I have four years to win one."