PSG manager Galtier's arrest 'over racial discrimination allegations'
REVEALED: PSG manager Christophe Galtier’s arrest ‘over racial discrimination allegations’ came after a former colleague at Nice claimed he moaned they had ‘too many black and Muslim players’
- Galtier spent 12 months at Nice before making the move to PSG last summer
- The 56-year-old and his son were reportedly taken into police custody on Friday
- The pair were summoned by Nice judicial police over racism accusations
Paris St-Germain boss Christophe Galtier was allegedly upset at the number of black and Muslim players in his squad, according to reports in France.
The 56-year-old, who is understood to be on his way out of PSG this summer, spent 12 months with Nice before making the move to the Parc des Princes last year.
The allegations, for which Galtier and his son John Valvoc-Galtier were taken into police custody earlier, stemmed from a damaging email first published by the French outlet RMC Sport.
Sent by then Nice director of football Julien Fournier to Sir Dave Brailsford, director of sport at INEOS, the company that owns the French club, Galtier is implicated over allegedly making racist and insulting statements.
In the email, Fournier describes a meeting he had with Galtier immediately after speaking with his son, and agent, Valvoc-Galtier.
While at Nice, Galtier allegedly complained that Julien Fournier has assembled a squad with too many black and Muslim player
The former Nice boss and his adopted son John Valovic-Galtier are understood to be facing accusations of racism from ex-sporting director Julien Fournier (pictured)
Christophe Galtier spent 12 months in charge of Nice before making the move to PSG last year
The former Nice director claims the football coach agreed with the issues his son had raised over the makeup of the team and that Fournier had to take into account the reality of the city which did not allow for ‘so many blacks and Muslims in the team.’
It further alleges that Galtier told Fournier the team did not reflect Nice, adding that he visited a restaurant in the city where ‘everyone came up to say that we have a team of blacks’.
Galtier is also alleged to have wished to reduce the number of Muslims in the squad and that the Ramadan period was described as affording him ‘the opportunity to complain continuously about the fact that “we had too many Muslim players in the team”.
The bombshell revelation triggered an investigation which has intensified with the summons of Galtier and his son by the Nice judicial police.
Galtier is understood to have always denied the accusations and has even filed a complaint.
In April, following the release of Fournier’s email, he addressed the leak in a pre-prepared statement ahead of PSG’s clash with Lens.
‘I am deeply shocked by the comments attributed to me and which have been relayed by some in an irresponsible way,’ he said.
Galtier denied the accusations in April ahead of the summons before Nice investigators
Reserve boss Didier Digard took over from Galtier’s replacement, Lucian Favre, who was sacked as the senior manager at the beginning of January following poor results in the league.
‘They hit me in the depths of my humanity. I am a child of a low-income housing estate, raised in diversity, and the values of sharing and respect for others, whatever their origin, colour or religion.
‘My whole life as a man, as a footballer and then as a coach, has been dictated by the concern for, and sharing and living well with, others.’
A number of Nice players and coaches, as well as president Jean-Pierre Rivere and reserve manager Didier Digard, are believed to have already been interviewed by investigators.
Reports suggest Galtier is set to leave PSG in the coming days, with former Barcelona and Spain manager Luis Enrique in line to replace him.
Despite winning their record 11th French title last season, Galtier has endured a joyless year-long stint in charge. And as a result, Enrique is poised to replace him at the helm.
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