PSG manager Christophe Galtier arrested in racism probe
Christophe Galtier, the coach of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and his son have been held for interrogation as part of an investigation into alleged prejudice.
The move follows an April inquiry after allegations that he made racist and Islamophobic statements against players while coaching OGC Nice in the 2021-22 season.
Galtier is poised to be fired by PSG following a mainly disappointing season in which the squad suffered 10 defeats and was eliminated from the Champions League in the last-16.
The allegations of prejudice surfaced in April after news outlets cited a leaked email from Nice’s former director of football, Julien Fournier, in which he accused Galtier of claiming there were “too many Black and Muslim players” on the Nice squad.
“He told me that I should take account of the reality of the city and that in effect we should not have as many blacks and Muslims in the team,” claimed Fournier, whose relationship with Galtier was a fraught one.
“He told me he wanted to profoundly change the team’s make-up and limit the maximum number of Muslims.”
Galtier and Fournier both left Nice last year after only one season together, with the former being hired by PSG.
A PSG representative told Al Jazeera in April that the club was not looking into the allegations.
“The manager informed the club about the allegations and that he is taking legal action, and since this is a legal case now, we will not comment on it,” the club’s official said, adding that PSG has a “very strong stance against racism”.
In a statement released by his lawyer to French media, Galtier said in April that he was “stunned to learn of the insulting and defamatory” allegation.
“Given the seriousness of the accusations against him, and which he firmly denies, Christophe Galtier has asked his lawyer to begin without delay the judicial proceedings, which are all the more necessary given that, since this came out, he has been the target of intolerable threats and harassment,” the statement said.
He filed his own defamation suit against Fournier and the journalist who reported the allegations.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Police arrest five suspected cultists, recover weapons in Lagos
The police said the suspects were allegedly involved in terrorising residents of the Apapa, Ijora and Badia areas of the state.
States
Obi charges Tinubu, govs to strengthen security, says no child should suffer kidnapping
Mr Obi called for sustained efforts to build a country where children could pursue their education free from threats of violence and abduction.
States
Police arrest 33-year-old for staging self-kidnap in Ondo
Detectives arrested Mr Sikiru on July 7, 2026, and discovered that he had allegedly orchestrated his own kidnapping.
World
South Africa’s Jayden Adams dies shortly after returning from World Cup
Adams played three matches at the World Cup in North America as South Africa reached the knockout round.
NationWide
IPI Nigeria secures release of journalist detained over drone possession
IPI Nigeria president Musikilu Mojeed welcomed Ms Sodiq’s release and commended the SSS for its engagement with the institute.
Politics
Gov. Okpebholo lauds voter turnout in Edo LG poll
Mr Okpebholo urged residents to continue to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the voting process and to await the official declaration of the results.
