Nicolas Anelka Defends Qatari Presence in French Football

Former Paris Saint-Germain forward Nicolas Anelka has spoken out in support of Qatari involvement in French football, asserting that Ligue 1 would face significant challenges without their financial backing. The Euro 2000 winner with France emphasized the positive impact of Qatari investment on the French top flight.

Anelka stated, “The departure of Qatar would be detrimental to the French league, which is already facing difficulties. It’s crucial to consider why there’s such persistence regarding Qatar and Nasser Al-Khelaifi, as that’s not the solution to the league’s problems.”

Since QSI’s acquisition of PSG in 2011, the club has dominated domestic competitions, securing numerous Ligue 1 titles, Coupe de France victories, and Trophée des Champions wins. While European success has been elusive, PSG has made significant strides in the Champions League, reaching the final once and the semi-finals on multiple occasions.

Anelka acknowledged concerns about Al-Khelaifi’s influence but argued that such power dynamics are common when a club possesses the largest budget in the league. He drew parallels to Jean-Michel Aulas’s tenure at Lyon and Bernard Tapie’s era at Marseille, both of which saw their respective clubs achieve considerable success.

The former striker also highlighted PSG’s recent investments in infrastructure, including a new training facility, as evidence of the Qatari owners’ commitment to long-term development.

Ultimately, Anelka’s comments underscore the complex relationship between foreign investment and domestic football, emphasizing both the benefits and potential drawbacks of significant financial backing in the sport.