A preliminary investigation had been opened in mid-April for suspicions of “discrimination based on an alleged race or affiliation to a religion” after accusations against the coach.
Coach Christophe Galtier, who is about to leave PSG, and his son John Valovic-Galtier, a players’ agent, have been placed “in police custody” of Nice, Friday June 30, in the investigation for suspicions of discrimination indicated to AFP the prosecutor of Nice Xavier Bonhomme. The two men have been in custody since 8:45 a.m. Contacted by AFP, Maître Olivier Martin, Christophe Galtier’s lawyer, did not respond immediately.
A preliminary investigation was opened in mid-April on suspicion of “discrimination based on alleged race or affiliation to a religion” after accusations against Christophe Galtier, ex-trainer of the Gym. The latter is suspected of having made discriminatory, racist and Islamophobic remarks during his year at the head of the Côte d’Azur club (2021-2022).
Comments reported by Julien Fournier in an email
In an email addressed to the management of the Nice club revealed by the independent journalist Romain Molina, then the radio RMC, which Franceinfo and AFP could not authenticate, the club’s former director of football Julien Fournier, with whom Christophe Galtier maintained execrable relations, in particular reported these remarks attributed to the PSG coach: “He then replied 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” And “He told me of his desire to change the team in depth, also specifying that he wanted to limit the number of Muslim players as much as possible”.
“I am deeply shocked by the words attributed to me, relayed by some in an irresponsible way”, reacted Christophe Galtier at a press conference after the outbreak of the case, in mid-April. He had for his part filed a complaint on April 21 for death threats, then defamation against Julien Fournier and two journalists, his lawyer Olivier Martin had indicated.
As part of the investigation for suspicion of discrimination, Julien Fournier told AFP on May 22 that he had been “heard”, declining to comment further. Several Nice players and leaders, such as club president Jean-Pierre Rivère, as well as ex-coach Didier Digard, were also heard by the investigators. The public prosecutor of Nice specified, Friday morning, that he would say more “by press release at the end of the day”.