The former OGC Nice coach is accused of having made racist remarks towards Muslim players. Damning testimonies were collected by the police.
Almost five months after his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, Christophe Galtier is still at the heart of a controversy. The French technician will be tried in Nice on December 15 for discrimination and moral harassment. He is accused of having made discriminatory, racist and Islamophobic remarks during his time on the bench of the Riviera club between 2021 and 2022.
The investigation was opened after an email sent to the Gym’s former football director, Julien Fournier, to the club’s management. In this email, Fournier reported having heard Galtier make racist and Islamophobic comments. Investigators collected several incriminating testimonies, including those from certain members of the Nice staff.
According to information revealed by L’Equipe, Frédéric Gioria, Galtier’s former assistant, confirmed the restaurant anecdote revealed by Fournier. He affirms that the southern technician was particularly virulent upon the announcement of the arrival of Bilal Brahimi. “ Another Muslim, I don’t want one, we’ve had enough “, he would have said, also describing Youcef Atal and Hicham Boudaoui as “dirty guys” or declaring another time: “lThe worst is the Algerians “.
Pressure on Muslim players
Hachim Ali Mbaé, former video analyst, also provided damning testimony. He claims to have heard Galtier describe the defenders of AS Saint-Etienne, Harold Moukoudi and Mickaël Nadé, as “two King Kongs”. He also adds that Galette was also not enthusiastic about recruiting Islam Slimani for the simple reason that he was going to fast during Ramadan.
Jean-Clair Todibo, Hicham Boudaoui and Teddy Boulhendi spoke of pressure from Galtier during Ramadan with the aim of making them break their fast. Pablo Rosario also confided that he was pushed to break his fast.
Griezmann, an attitude that annoys https://t.co/8gtkhhSwkO
— French Football Weekly (@foot365) December 5, 2023
The accused’s defense nevertheless assures that Galtier has “never harassed or discriminated against anyone”. The latter would have even made his own office available to allow Muslim players wishing to pray there, but also the possibility of leaving earlier on Friday to go and pray. The court’s verdict is expected in ten days. The French manager faces three years in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros.
