PSG Coach Galtier Denies Racism Allegations, Files Lawsuit Amid Controversy

In a statement transmitted this Wednesday, Christophe Galtier’s lawyer, Maître Olivier Martin, announces that his client "firmly contests" the accusations of discrimination against players when he was at the head of OGC Nice. The remarks attributed to Galtier were reported in an internal letter sent by Julien Fournier to the management of Ineos, the group at the head of OGC Nice. The remarks attributed to the Paris coach were relayed by several media, provoking strong reactions.

Faced with the threats and acts of harassment he has suffered since the leak of this information, Christophe Galtier has since been placed under protection, with security agents. According to information from France Bleu, his phone number has also been disclosed on a social network, forcing the Paris coach to change it.

The PSG held several meetings on Tuesday to allow Galtier to explain himself and has been in contact with OGC Nice. A source close to the club indicates that the PSG coach is "devastated, really not well and groggy" following this controversy. The PSG management remains "by the side of Christophe Galtier, in support," concludes this same source.

Too many blacks and Muslims in the team:

Julien Fournier, former general manager of OGC Nice, accuses Galtier of racism. "He came into my office and greeted his son, who told me ’you can check with my father what I told you’. Once his son had left, I told Christophe about the discussion I had just had and asked him if it was all true. He then replied that ’yes’ and that I had to take into account the ’reality of the city’; and that indeed, we could not have so many blacks and Muslims in the team," Fournier recounted in an email addressed to the management of Ineos, the owner of the Nice club, revealed on Tuesday by RMC Sports.

And he added: "He told me ’last night I went to a restaurant and everyone fell on me saying that we have a team of blacks’. Julien you have to realize in what city we are, we are in the city of Jacques Médecin and our team does not correspond to what people want, as it does not correspond to me’". There was no sporting argument, but only religious or skin color arguments.