France, Feb. 9 -- 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...