Paris Saint Germain coach Christophe Galtier and his son were taken in for questioning as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of discrimination, according to the Nice prosecutor. The probe, initiated in April, stemmed from accusations that Galtier made racist and Islamophobic remarks about players during his time as coach for Nice in the 2021/22 season.
The prosecutor stated that further details regarding the arrests of Galtier and his son, John Valovic-Galtier, who works as a player’s agent, would be disclosed in a statement later in the day.
Galtier’s tenure at PSG has been disappointing, leading to the Qatari owners planning to terminate his contract. With 10 defeats in 2023 and an early exit from the Champions League, which was the team’s primary objective, the season fell short of expectations.
Reports initially emerged in April in the French media, but their authenticity could not be independently verified by AFP. The allegations centered around a purported email from former Nice sporting director Julien Fournier, sent at the end of the 2021/22 season, claiming that Galtier had made discriminatory remarks towards several members of the Nice squad.
According to Fournier, Galtier suggested reducing the number of Black and Muslim players in the team, urging him to consider the city’s realities. Their relationship had been strained, and Fournier also asserted that Galtier wanted to significantly alter the team’s composition and impose a cap on the maximum number of Muslims.
Galtier vehemently denied the allegations and expressed deep shock at the claims. He took legal action against the journalist who published the accusations and Fournier, pursuing a defamation lawsuit.
On May 22, Fournier informed AFP that he had been questioned as part of the ongoing judicial investigation but did not provide further details.
In the course of the inquiry, investigators also interviewed various players and directors, including club president Jean-Pierre Rivere and former coach Didier Digard.
The email in question was reportedly sent by Fournier, who had a strained relationship with Galtier, to Dave Brailsford, the former head of British Cycling and Team Sky, who currently serves as the Director of Sport at Ineos, the owners of Nice.
Galtier and Fournier both departed Nice last year after working together for a single season. Subsequently, Galtier was appointed by PSG to assume his coaching role.
The investigation into the alleged discrimination continues as authorities strive to ascertain the veracity of the claims and gather evidence to reach a fair and just resolution.