Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier to face trial in racism probe

Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier has been summoned to face trial in December as a part of an investigation into racism allegations at his former membership Nice, a prosecutor mentioned Friday.

Galtier and his son, John Valovic-Galtier, had been positioned in custody for questioning on Friday morning.

After his son was launched with out cost, Galtier was referred to the general public prosecutor’s workplace and can stand trial in Nice on Dec. 15 on fees of psychological harassment and discrimination, prosecutor Xavier Bonhomme posted on Twitter.

If discovered responsible, Galtier dangers a most sentence of three years in jail and a fantastic of 45,000 euros ($49,000).

Galtier, who’s on his approach out at PSG however nonetheless underneath contract, denied accusations that he made racist and anti-Muslim feedback when he was in command of French membership Nice when the scandal broke earlier this yr.

RMC Sport and different French media printed experiences quoting a leaked electronic mail from former Nice director of soccer Julien Fournier to the membership’s homeowners, by which he accused Galtier of claiming there have been too many Black and Muslim gamers within the squad.

Galtier mentioned he felt harm “at the deepest level” of his humanity by the accusations and has taken authorized motion.

Bonhomme mentioned on the time a preliminary investigation had been opened into “discrimination on the grounds of alleged race or religion.” He mentioned it was being dealt with by Nice police with searches of the membership’s headquarters.

PSG head of communications Julien Maynard mentioned “serious allegations” had been made towards Galtier and that the membership totally supported him.

RMC Sport mentioned Fournier, who was at odds with Galtier throughout his tenure at Nice, wrote to Ineos director of sports Dave Brailsford to let him know in regards to the particulars of a dialog he had with the coach.

Ineos acquired the southern membership in 2019 and appointed Galtier as coach in 2021 after he received the title with Lille. He spent one season at Nice earlier than becoming a member of PSG. Fournier left Nice in 2022 after greater than a decade on the membership.

Fournier allegedly mentioned that Galtier complained in August 2021 that there have been too many Black and Muslim gamers within the workforce, and that it didn’t mirror the ethnological profile of the town. Fournier advised native newspaper Nice-Matin that he was not chargeable for the leaked doc.

Fournier had beforehand talked about critical points with Galtier throughout an interview with RMC, saying the PSG coach would by no means give you the chance “to enter a locker room again” if he defined the explanations behind their dispute.

The 56-year-old Galtier led PSG to a different French league title as anticipated, however PSG was eradicated early within the Champions League and the French Cup by rival Marseille this season. PSG’s type slumped after the World Cup, with 10 losses in 28 video games in 2023.

Galtier has one yr left on his contract however PSG has reportedly been holding talks with Luis Enrique to interchange him within the coming days.

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AP Sports Writer Jerome Pugmire in Paris contributed to this report.

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