Football: Christophe Galtier and his son in police custody on suspicion of "discrimination"

The French coach, who is about to leave PSG, and his son have been "in police custody in Nice since 8:45 a.m. on Friday" in the investigation for suspicion of discrimination, the prosecutor told AFP. by Nice Xavier Bonhomme.

A preliminary investigation was opened in mid-April for suspicion of "discrimination based on an alleged race or affiliation to a religion" after accusations against Christophe Galtier during his time at OGC Nice (season 2021-2022 ).

The affair broke out last April, in the heart of the season for Paris SG and its coach. Some media have unveiled an email from Julien Fournier, sports director of OGC Nice when Christophe Galtier led the first team. The former boss of the sports sector of the Riviera club, who no longer got along with the French coach described in particular a scene which would have taken place on August 9, 2021 with John Valovic-Galtier, adopted son and representative of the 56-year-old technician, in his office.

“(Christophe Galtier) wanted to 'see me urgently' because he considered his client's situation untenable. He told me ''Julien, it's not going well, my father was in tears, you don't realize, this team doesn't look like him, we can't go on like this. You have built a team of scum, there are only blacks and half of your team is at the mosque on Friday afternoons”.

Still according to Mr. Fournier, Galtier would have directly confirmed this vision of things to him and would have invited him to “take into account” the reality of the city and that indeed we could not have so many blacks and Muslims in the city. 'crew''. He said to me '' last night I went to the restaurant and everyone fell on me saying that we have a team of blacks '' then to add '' Julien you must realize in which city we are, we are in the city of Jacques Médecin (former mayor of Nice), and our team does not correspond to what people want, as it does not correspond to me'', there was no sporting argument but only arguments religion or skin color.”

Christophe Galtier, champion of France with PSG but currently in negotiations with his future ex-bosses for a dismissal, is therefore placed in police custody since this Friday morning in Nice. Contacted by AFP, Me Olivier Martin, Christophe Galtier's lawyer, did not respond immediately.

“I am deeply shocked by the comments that I am given, relayed by some in an irresponsible way”, had reacted Galtier in a press conference after the outbreak of the case, in mid-April. He had for his part filed a complaint on April 21 for death threats and defamation against Julien Fournier and two journalists, his lawyer had indicated.

As part of the investigation for suspicion of discrimination, Julien Fournier told AFP on May 22 that he had been "heard", refusing to comment further. Several Nice players and leaders such as club president Jean-Pierre Rivère, as well as ex-coach Didier Digard were also heard by the investigators.

The public prosecutor of Nice said Friday morning that he would say more "by press release at the end of the day".