This Thursday, theAFP released a bomb by announcing the indictment of Nasser Al-Khelaïfi on February 5. The president of Paris Saint-Germain was pinned by French justice “For complicity in abuse of power in the investigation surrounding Arnaud Lagardère”. Clearly, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi is suspected of having used its influence in 2018 so that the Sovereign Fund of Qatar, Qia, changes position in an internal governance quarrel in exchange for counterparties.
Quickly, rumors multiplied and in particular those of an upcoming disengagement from Qatar in France and PSG. “”The Qatari are tired of all these abuses. False legal proceedings, blackmail, daily criticism, blame for the total incompetence of others, all the problems in France are their fault, every time they try to help it is apparently for 'soft power' – is pure and simple abuse and everyone has enough“, As such, indicated a source close to the Qatari government in RMC Sport. But then, is Qatar really ready to fold luggage in support from Al-Khelaïfi?
Qatar reaffirms its commitments in France and PSG
According to the latest information from Parisiannothing is less certain. Indeed, the daily specifies that the indictment of the President of PSG in the Lagardère case will have no impact on the investment policy of the Gulf State in France. “The echoes according to which the country would have, in the process, threatened to disengage from all its investments on French soil, starting with PSG and beIN Sports, have more than surprised in the mysteries of Qatarian power”specifies the local media.
In high places, therefore out of the question of a possible disengagement. If no official communication is expected, the sovereign investment fund, however, held, through one of its spokespersons, to reaffirm its support for Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. “With regard to the allegations according to which Mr. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi was involved in an inappropriate purchase of votes and an abuse of power involving Lagardère company, which unequivocally rejects any allegation of inappropriate conduct on the part of QIA or Nasser al-Khelaïfi. Mr. al-Khelaïfi did not play any substantial role in this case and made no decision in this regard “.
“The daily questions concerning the companies in which Qia has invested are dealt with by its leaders, and not by members of the board of directors of Qia such as Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. This is in accordance with solid and long -established corporate governance practices by QIA. Consequently, Nasser al-Khelaïfi was unable to influence or take measures on behalf of Qia concerning the company Lagardère “adds the spokesperson for the sovereign fund. The message is clear!
