A petition calling on top executives at Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain to end their "Visit Rwanda" sponsorship deal with Rwanda's development board on Sunday passed the 66,000 mark.

Launched on 27 January as fighting between Rwandan-backed M23 forces and government troops intensified in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the petition claimed the deal to promote tourism in Rwanda was no longer compatible with the club's stance on human rights and peace.

"As an iconic and internationally respected club, PSG has an important role to play in promoting positive values," the petition said. "However, by maintaining this partnership with "Visit Rwanda", our club could be perceived as ignoring the geopolitical and humanitarian realities of this situation, and risk giving the impression that it is turning a blind eye to human rights violations.

"We therefore call on Paris Saint-Germain to immediately end its partnership with "Visit Rwanda", in order not to support the actions of the Rwandan government in the DRC."

Petition organisers said they wanted PSG to take a public stance against the violence and human rights violations committed in the African Great Lakes region, particularly in the DRC. They also wanted club supremos to help the victims of conflict, particularly in the DRC, to demonstrate their commitment to peace and justice.

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