Prosecutors have requested a 12-month suspended prison sentence for former Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier for alleged racism when he was at Nice.
During a nine-hour hearing on Friday, prosecutor Damien Martinelli asked that Galtier, “guilty”, be sentenced to a 12-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 45,000 euros. The judge will deliver his verdict on Thursday, December 21. The accusations emerged following a leaked email from Galtier’s former colleague and Nice sporting director, Julien Fournier, in April 2023.
During the trial, Galtier attempted to defend himself, denying having made such comments: “If I had made these comments, they would be racist and discriminatory (…) I did not make these comments.” In response, Martinelli said: “Personally, I find that football is the victim in this matter (…) the players are the principles, while the values of the (French) Republic are also victims. I ask you to find Christophe Galtier guilty”.
Christophe Galtier’s lawyer continued to proclaim his client’s innocence and demanded more evidence. “ Where is the evidence ? » he asked. The lawyer even accused Fournier’s entourage of “brainwashing”.
The headquarters of OGC Nice was searched as part of the investigation and several players as well as the president of the Riviera club, Jean-Pierre Rivere, were questioned as part of this procedure. The judge is expected to deliver his final verdict on the case on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. local time. If found guilty, Galtier could face a suspended prison sentence of up to three years and a fine of 45,000 euros.
