Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier has said his humanity is hurt «at the deepest level» by allegations that he made racist and anti-Muslim comments while in charge of French club Nice.
RMC Sport and other French media this week cited a leaked email from former Nice football director Julien Fournier to the club’s owners accusing Galtier of saying there were too many black and Muslim players in the team.
«I am deeply shocked by the comments that have been attributed to me and that were transmitted by certain people in an irresponsible manner,» Galtier, 56, said on Friday before league leaders PSG’s home game against the second, Lens, on Saturday. . «I was hurt at the deepest level of my humanity. I was a child who grew up in a gated community, raised in a mixed environment (with) the values of sharing and respecting other people, whoever they are, (whatever) their origins , their color, their religion».
Galtier said he is taking legal action.
«I cannot accept that my name and that of my family are stained in this way,» he said. «Therefore, I have decided to press charges against anyone who harms my honor.»
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Nice prosecutor Xavier Bonhomme said on Friday that a preliminary investigation had been opened for «discrimination on grounds of alleged race or religion». He said it is being handled by the Nice police with records at the clubhouse.
PSG communications chief Julien Maynard said «serious allegations» had been made against Galtier and the club fully supports him.
RMC Sport said Fournier, who had been at odds with Galtier during his Nice tenure, wrote to Ineos sporting director Dave Brailsford to fill him in on details of a conversation he had with the manager.
PSG head coach Christophe Galtier during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon in Paris, France on April 2, 2023. Galtier is hurt «at the deepest levels» by the accusations he made of racist and anti-Muslim comments in a previous work. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Ineos acquired the southern club in 2019 and appointed Galtier as manager in 2021 after winning the title with Lille. He spent one season at Nice before joining PSG. Fournier left Nice in 2022 after more than a decade at the club.
Fournier allegedly said that Galtier complained in August 2021 that there were too many black and Muslim players on the team and that it did not reflect the ethnological profile of the city. Fournier told the local Nice-Matin newspaper that he was not responsible for the leaked document.
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Turkish striker Burak Yılmaz, who played under Galtier in Lille, defended his former manager. Galtier also received the support of the coach of Lens, Franck Haise, of Rennes, Bruno Genesio, and of Brest, Eric Roy.
«These are such difficult times that you appreciate the support you receive,» Galtier said Friday. «It has been difficult, very hard. But I took refuge in working with my coaching staff to prepare for this great game in the best way.»
Galtier said he has not spoken to the players about the allegations, «but they gave me the best possible response with their full commitment to training.»
A prominent group of PSG supporters, the CUP (Paris Ultras Collective), called for Galtier’s departure if the comments are proven to be true.
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«I have read your statement. I have no doubt that all our fans will support the team,» Galtier said, looking ahead to Saturday’s game.
Fournier had previously mentioned serious problems with Galtier during an interview with RMC, saying the PSG manager could never «go back into a dressing room» if he explained the reasons for their dispute.
Galtier paused before responding when asked if he thought someone wanted revenge on him.
«I can’t answer that,» he said.