PARIS (Reuters) – Christophe Galtier denied he had made racist comments during his time as coach of Ligue 1 club Nice as a preliminary investigation into “discrimination based on alleged race or religion” was launched by the Nice prosecution office on Friday.
The allegation were made in emails of Julien Fournier, the former director of football at Nice. Galtier, now coach of Paris St Germain, was in charge of Nice during the 2021-22 season.
“There is a preliminary investigation into discrimination based on alleged race or religion. The headquarters of OGC Nice are being searched,” Nice prosecutor Xavier Bonhomme said on Friday.
According to RMC Sport website, Fournier’s emails alleged that Galtier complained about “having too many black and Muslim players” in the Nice team.
“I have decided to take legal action against those who have violated my honour and I can only be satisfied with the opening of an investigation,” Galtier told a news conference ahead of Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash against second-placed RC Lens at the Parc des Princes on Saturday.
“As many of you I was stunned by the comments that were attributed to me and that were relayed in an irresponsible manner,” Galtier added.
“I am a child of the HLM estates (subsidised housing estates), raised in diversity, raised to respect others no matter their origin, their colour or their religion.”
PSG said they supported their head coach.
“PSG supports Christophe Galtier and wishes that the judicial system will shine a light on he truth on the serious allegations against our coach,” PSG said in a statement.
Fournier said earlier this week that he was dismayed by the timing of the revelation, although he did not deny having made the allegation.
Galtier has been placed under protection by PSG, daily newspaper Le Parisien reported, after his phone number was shared on social media.
Several Ligue 1 coaches and footballers who played under Galtier have been supporting the PSG coach.
“I worked with Galtier and never felt negative behaviour from him about my religion or nationality. He is a great coach as well as a great person,” said Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz, a Muslim who won the Ligue 1 title with Lille in 2021 under Galtier.
(Reporting by Julien Pretot; editing by Pritha Sarkar)
