PSG decided to respond to the violent attacks of John Textor, owner of Olympique Lyonnais, but not in a conventional way. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, directly targeted by the scathing remarks of the American businessman, did not wish to get personally involved in this controversy. Instead of an official communication, it was a member of the club, mandated by management, who spoke to react.
An indirect but sharp response from PSG
PSG, faithful to its well-oiled communications policy, preferred to send a representative to respond to Textor’s criticism, rather than publishing a press release or directly mobilizing Al-Khelaïfi. Responsible for this mission, Julien Maynard, head of sports communications for the club, spoke to RMC Sport to defend its president and PSG.
His reaction was as dry as it was concise: “Too bad that class and elegance cannot be bought, because that would have allowed Mr. Textor to avoid making a fool of himself through his crude and lying excesses against our president, our institution and our fans. ”
Al-Khelaifi does not lower himself by talking to Textor.
He added: “Let him come back to earth, and to France too, to better understand this Ligue 1 that we love so much.”
A scathing outing which bears the mark of the Parisian hierarchy, but which leaves Al-Khelaïfi away from the media tumult.
This choice to delegate the response to an employee, rather than getting directly involved, is part of a clear strategy. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, central personality of French and international football, is probably seeking to avoid amplifying the conflict by directly exposing himself. By choosing a member of the communication unit to react, PSG maintains a certain distance while sending a strong message.
Al-Khelaifi – Textor, an intensifying rivalry
This response from PSG comes after a series of virulent attacks from John Textor. The owner of OL had described Al-Khelaïfi as an omnipotent leader, criticized his influence on the LFP, and even attacked Vincent Labrune, calling him the Qatari president’s “little lapdog”.
These tense exchanges mark a new episode in the growing rivalry between Lyon and Paris. But by letting Maynard go to the front, Al-Khelaïfi shows that he refuses to be drawn into a public quarrel and prefers to preserve his image as a leader above controversy.
It remains to be seen whether this indirect response will be enough to calm the situation or if it will further inflame the tension between the two clubs. One thing is certain: the relationship between John Textor and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi seems more than ever at the breaking point.
