Paris Saint-Germain football coach Christophe Galtier today strongly denied accusations that he made racist and anti-Muslim comments while working in Nice and announced legal measures regarding the allegations.
RMC Sport and other French media have published the content of an email sent by Nice’s former sporting director Julien Fournier to the club’s owners, in which Galtier is quoted as saying there were many blacks and Muslims in the squad.
In a statement released by his lawyer to French media, Galtier said he was “shocked to hear of the offensive and defamatory” media report and said he would take legal action.
Paris Saint-Germain’s most ardent fans have demanded Galtier’s departure if it is proven that he made racist comments.
“We are carefully following Galtje’s case. If the allegations against him are proven, it is not acceptable for this person to remain in the organizational chart of the club. We remind you that we have always been against any form of discrimination,” the fans’ statement reads.
RMC Sport reported that Fournier, who clashed with Galtier when they worked together in Nice, has written to Ineos sporting director Dave Brailsford to inform him of the details of the talks with the coach.
Ineos bought Nice in 2019 and brought Galtier in 2021. The coach moved to Paris Saint-Germain a year later. Fournier also left the club in 2022, after more than a decade.
He told the media in Brazil that he was not responsible for the document that reached the public.
“The timing of the publication of these allegations revolts me, just like the content,” he said.
Galtje is under pressure at the Paris Club due to his poor form since the beginning of the year. Paris Saint-Germain was eliminated in the round of 16 of the Champions League for the second year in a row, and its convincing advantage in the standings was reduced to six points after five defeats in 2023.