Former Nice Coach Galtier Detained in Racial Discrimination Probe

The accusations were made following the leak of a presumed letter from Julien Fournier, former football director of OGC Nice, reporting misconduct by the two men. However, the authenticity of this letter and the accusations it contains remain to be determined.

The justice system quickly opened an investigation, carried out a search of the OGC Nice premises and began questioning various members of the club about these "alleged facts of discrimination at work referring to belonging to a supposed race or religion". Among the people questioned were president Jean-Pierre Rivère, coach Didier Digard and several players. The time has come for Christophe Galtier and John Valovic-Galtier to share their version of the facts.

The two men were taken into custody on Friday morning, after more than two months of investigation. Fournier would have reported a conversation with Galtier in which the coach would have confirmed that the club "could not have so many blacks and Muslims in the team". In addition, allegations have been made that several Muslim players were informed that they would not be able to observe Ramadan if they wanted a chance to play.

Although Christophe Galtier has denied these accusations, he had not yet had the opportunity to explain himself to the police.