Paris Saint-Germain head coach Christophe Galtier has been taken into police custody amid an investigation into allegations of discrimination at OGC Nice.
Galtier, 56, was accused in April of making racist, abusive and discriminatory remarks about his own players as OGC Nice coach last season. His son John-Valovic Galtier was also taken into custody as part of the same investigation. The developments were confirmed to The Athletic by Nice prosecutors this morning.
Both Galtier and Valovic-Galtier denied these allegations when they first came to light. In April, journalist Romain Molina and then RMC’s After Foot program published an alleged email allegedly sent by then Nice football director Julien Fournier to Sir Dave Brailsford, a UK sporting director at INEOS, and made serious allegations both against Galtier and against him included son and agent, Valovic-Galtier. INEOS, the petrochemical giant, owns OGC Nice.
In a statement from his attorney, Galtier “strongly” denied the allegations. He then said in a press conference that he would take legal action against those who “damage my reputation.” Galtier has filed a lawsuit alleging “insulting and defamatory statements”.
A judicial inquiry into “discrimination based on alleged race or religious affiliation” has been launched in Nice as a result of the allegations, according to prosecutor Xavier Bonhomme. The training grounds of OGC Nice were then searched and employees, including coach Didier Digard and club president Jean-Pierre Rivere, were also questioned by the police.
Galtier remains PSG head coach despite being on the verge of leaving and Luis Enrique is set to be named as his successor.
PSG have been contacted for comment. In April it said: “Serious allegations were made in the media against our coach Christophe Galtier. Christophe responded clearly, strongly denying them and announcing that he would take legal action. The club supports Christophe Galtier after the numerous and unacceptable threats he has received and now wants the truth to come out through the judiciary.”
Nice previously said: “The issue concerns two people who no longer work for OGC Nice. This situation was being treated with the utmost seriousness at the time of the events. The club will not comment further. “
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Explained: Christophe Galtier, racism allegations and what happens next
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