Prosecutors have demanded a 12-month suspended prison sentence for ex-Paris Saint-Germain boss Christophe Galtier for alleged racism while at Nice.
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Galtier accused of ethnic, racial and religious discriminationMade alleged comments in leaked emailCould be fined €45,000 & given suspended sentenceWHAT HAPPENED?
In a nine-hour hearing on Friday, prosecutor Damien Martinelli demanded "guilty" Galtier be given a 12-month suspended prison sentence and a €45,000 (£37k/$49k) fine. A verdict will be made by the judge on Thursday, December 21. The accusations emerged following a leaked email from Galtier's former colleague and Nice sporting director, Julien Fournier, in April 2023.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT GALTIER SAID
During the trial, Galtier said, per : "If I made these comments, they would be racist and discriminatory […] these comments, I didn’t make them."
In response, Martinelli said: "Personally, I find that football is the victim in this file […] the players are the principles, whilst the values of the [French] Republic are also victims. I request that you declare Christophe Galtier guilty."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Galtier's lawyer remained defiant of his client's innocence and demanded more evidence.
“Where is the proof?” he asked. The lawyer even accused Fournier’s entourage of “brainwashing”.
Nice's headquarters were searched as part of the investigation and several players and club president, Jean-Pierre Rivere, were interviewed as part of the process.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
The judge is expected to give the final verdict on the affair on Thursday at 1.30pm local time. If found guilty, Galtier could face a suspended prison sentence of up to three years and a fine of €45,000.