The still technical Paris Saint Germain, Christophe Galtier, and his son John Valovic-Galtier were arrested this Friday as part of an investigation into suspected discrimination following accusations of racism. The information was given by the Public Ministry to the AFP.
The two are in police custody in Nice (southeast France), announced prosecutor Xavier Bonhomme. In mid-April, justice opened an investigation into suspicions of racial or religious discrimination when Galtier, 56, was coach of Nice.
Independent journalist Romain Molina and the RMC Sports network had disclosed a few days earlier the existence of an email attributed to former Nice manager Julien Fournier. In the message, written at the end of the 2021-22 season, he denounces Galtier’s discriminatory words about part of the Nice players, with references to the origins and religion of the athletes.
Galtier, who denies the allegation, has denounced Fournier and journalists Daniel Riolo and Romain Molina for defamation after he received death threats online.
The arrest came just days before the announcement of his successor as PSG coach. Spaniard Luis Enrique Martínez is considered the big favorite to take the job.
Despite having won the title of champion of France with PSG, Galtier was informed in early June that he would not continue at the head of the club, despite having a contract until June 30, 2024.
Galtier had a very complicated season at the most prestigious club he managed in his career, after spells at Saint-Étienne (2009-2017), Lille (2017-2021) and Nice (2021-2022).
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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