The inner sanctum of the most passionate football fans is a place that few can access. A photographer who has developed his skill set from the inside out and ending up pitch side at the Parc Des Princess (as well as capturing DJ Snake whilst surrounded in supporters) is Scott Groult. We take in his unfiltered line of sight and using his images to show that while the game may be on hold, it still runs wild in the mind.
What is it about PSG fans that separates them from the rest?
The Qataris’ arrival at PSG in 2011 brought new fans, but the ultras have always remained loyal to the club. Even if we have to admit that Paris is not a football city, there is still a strong core of enthusiasts.
No matter the players, the score, we will always be there for our club. At home and outside we always make a lot of noise and proudly wear our colours. Despite the defeats against the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City, we continued to come to the stadium, when the disappointment was immense.
We have Paris in the skin, that's how it is! Our passion does not stop only at the men’s team because we will regularly support women as well as PSG handball. We also carry out social activities. We represent our club, our city. We have a song that says "where you are here, you will never be alone, because the two of us are for life". I think that says it all.
From a photography perspective, how do you go about getting in among them?
I have been interested in photography since 2016. I don't have a field of predilection - I take photos of travel, architecture, portraits, concerts etc. Having done that for a while, I said to myself that I could try to take photos of the ultras. It was simple for me to take photos of the ultras because I'm part of a group.
I had the idea of proposing to the leaders of my group to take photos, that's how it started. Then I started to take photos of the atmosphere and I told myself that my next goal would be to take photos of PSG matches as an official photographer. I worked and managed to get some accreditations. For me it's a dream come true. Like what by working and being perseverant you can do beautiful things.
Tell us about your connection to the club - when did you start getting involved and shooting the fans?
The first time I went to the Parc des Princes, I was 13 years old. I had spent more time watching the ultras than the match! From that moment on, I said to myself "when I grow up, I will be in a kop as well!". I have been in the ultras movement since 2016, which corresponds to the return of ultras to the Parc des Princes. (They were banned from the stadium for 6 years). The first time I started taking photos of the grandstands was a few years ago during a few away matches, because at the Parc des Princes, it's more complicated to enter your camera without authorisation.
What made you want to start this project?
Step by step I took more and more photos and I found them interesting! I had the idea of creating a "photo report" in September 2019, on the occasion of the reception of Real Madrid in CL. That evening I even had the chance to take a photo of DJ Snake in the midst of ultras, who shared it himself on his Twitter account. Now I bring my camera almost all the time with me. After that, I had my first accreditation to photograph a match last December.
Could you describe the atmosphere and energy when you're in this environment?
Our mentality is as follows: we go to the stadium to sing, to support our team, to forget our everyday problems. We come to have fun and let off steam! There is no violence or racism here. There are guys who come from different social backgrounds, different origins, we are one.
Why should any fan experience a PSG game?
When we talk about PSG, it's often to talk about Neymar, Mbappe, Qatar but little for the atmosphere. I have the impression that when we play in CL, people discover that in Paris there is a fervor. I think my photos prove the madness that grips us here in Paris.
What's it like for you to be up close to the players - can you get a feel for what sets the greats from the goods?
I would have dreamed of being a professional footballer. But now I’m happy in what I’m doing, I’ve managed to bring my two passions together : photography & football. It’s a real privilege to be a football photographer. You are close to the players, you see their seriousness in the warm-ups, you see the intensity very closely. It’s an incredible chance to be so close to the action. For me what distinguishes great players is above all the mind. Technical and physical qualities are not everything. It’s valid in many areas ; if in your head you tell yourself that you will succeed and that you give yourself the means, you will get there.
Where else would you like to take this project?
I would like to extend this project to the world! I would like to see and photograph how the supporters bring their stands to life, whether in Germany, Italy, Argentina, Japan, Morocco... a kind of football stadiums world tour.
See more work by Scott Groult here.
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