Christophe Galtier, the coach of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and his son John Valovic-Galtier, a player’s agent, have been taken in for questioning as part of an investigation into alleged discrimination, according to the Nice prosecutor.
The probe was initiated in April after allegations emerged that Galtier had made racist and Islamophobic remarks about players during his time as the coach of Nice in the 2021/22 season.
The prosecutor stated that further details regarding the arrests of 56-year-old Galtier and his son would be provided in a statement later on Friday.
Galtier, who guided PSG to their 11th league title last season, was informed by the club’s Qatari owners in early June that he would be terminated after a largely disappointing season. PSG suffered 10 defeats in 2023 and was eliminated from the Champions League, their primary objective, in the round of 16.
The allegations initially surfaced in the French media in April. Reports claimed that former Nice sporting director Julien Fournier had sent an email at the end of the 2021/22 season, alleging that Galtier had made discriminatory remarks about several members of the Nice squad.
Fournier claimed, “He (Galtier) told me that I should take into account the reality of the city and that, in effect, we should not have as many blacks and Muslims in the team.” Galtier strongly denied these accusations and expressed shock at the claims. He initiated a defamation lawsuit and also reported receiving death threats against two journalists and Fournier.
The judicial inquiry has involved questioning several individuals, including players, directors, club president Jean-Pierre Rivere, and former coach Didier Digard.
Fournier had previously mentioned being questioned as part of the investigation. Fournier reportedly sent the message in question to Dave Brailsford, the Director of Sport at Ineos, the owner of Nice and former head of British Cycling and Team Sky.
Galtier and Fournier left Nice last year after working together for one season, with Galtier subsequently joining PSG.
Despite his successful coaching career, which included leading Lille to the 2021 Ligue 1 title, Galtier could not fulfil PSG’s ambitions in the Champions League, resulting in his dismissal.
