Christophe Galtier Speaks Out After Acquittal, and Thanks PSG

Christophe Galtier breaks his silence on accusations of racism and discrimination during his time coaching OGC Nice, while also expressing gratitude towards PSG.

Accused of “psychological harassment and discrimination based on ethnicity, nationality, supposed race, or religion” during his tenure at OGC Nice, Christophe Galtier opens up about the ordeal. He was acquitted by the criminal court of Nice on December 21.

In an interview with L’Equipe, the current coach of Al-Duhail in Qatar discusses this challenging period: “When I read the accusations against me, thankfully I wasn’t driving. I’m not in a state. Racism, discrimination, these are not part of my nature because I grew up in a multicultural environment and throughout my career, I’ve operated in such surroundings. So, it was a real shock to be brought before a criminal court for such reasons. It’s part of the trials of my life,” said the former PSG coach.

Galtier Thanks PSG

“All the elements were there for it to become very, very public. When the case came out, I was asked to be careful. I would like to thank PSG again, for ensuring my security at each of my professional and personal outings. Your normal life automatically changes. It stops. You’re cautious. You don’t go out much, or very little, to walk around and enjoy this magnificent city of Paris. But it didn’t last long, because the support I also received from anonymous individuals, supporters, or ordinary people comforted me.”

“I take this opportunity to thank notably His Highness Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, and Luis Campos, but also Jean-Pierre Rivère, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and David Brailsford in Nice. They provided great comfort for my family, and their constant support reassured me that I was a victim of revenge. This revenge theory is not mine. It is mentioned in the judgment of the court. […] It was an infamy. In the end, I was completely and definitively acquitted. Justice established my innocence. Without any doubt. That’s why I’m happy. The accusations against me made no sense. My life journey, as a player and coach, attests to that.”