A significant development has emerged from Paris. Reports indicate that Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was charged on February 5th with “complicity in vote-buying and infringement on voting freedom” and “complicity in abuse of power.” This indictment is connected to a case involving French businessman Arnaud Lagardère and alleged attempts to sway a crucial vote by the Qatari sovereign fund, which was a shareholder in Lagardère’s group.
The news of Al-Khelaifi’s charges has reportedly caused a strong reaction in Qatar. Qatari officials are said to be threatening to pull investments from France, potentially affecting BeIn Sports and Paris Saint-Germain.
A source close to the Qatari government stated that “The Qataris have had enough of these abuses. False legal proceedings, blackmail, daily criticism, being blamed for the incompetence of others—every problem in France is their fault. Every time they try to help, it’s supposedly for ‘soft power.’ This is pure abuse, and everyone has had enough.”
This is not the first time Al-Khelaifi has faced legal scrutiny. Previous corruption charges related to Qatar’s bids for the 2017 and 2019 World Athletics Championships were dismissed in February 2023, as the French court deemed it lacked jurisdiction. Additionally, Parisian judges are investigating accusations of kidnapping and detention in Qatar involving lobbyist Tayeb Benabderrahmane. Al-Khelaifi has denied these accusations and filed a counter-complaint.