PARIS — Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain, has been subjected to preliminary charges as part of an ongoing corruption investigation, according to a judicial official. The investigation, however, is not linked to the Ligue 1 team but rather to Al-Khelaifi’s associations with a French businessman.
The charges against Al-Khelaifi include complicity in the alleged buying of votes and undermining the freedom to vote, along with complicity in the abuse of power against the Lagardère Group. Despite the serious nature of these accusations, he has not been placed under any form of judicial supervision and maintains that he has done nothing wrong.
In France, preliminary charges suggest that while a suspect could be cleared if the investigation yields no evidence, they may also face formal indictment and trial. Arnaud Lagardère, the leader of the Lagardère Group, is suspected of misusing 125 million euros (approximately $130 million) of company funds for personal expenditures over an extended period.
Reports from a national newspaper indicate that Al-Khelaifi is believed to have assisted Lagardère in securing a favorable vote from Qatar Holding LLC, the sovereign wealth fund Qatar Investment Authority’s subsidiary, during a 2018 shareholder meeting. This alleged assistance was reportedly given in exchange for a promise to appoint a diplomat closely aligned with Doha to the board of directors of the Lagardère Group, ensuring that the emirate’s interests were represented.
A statement issued by the Qatari sovereign wealth fund expressed a strong denial of any allegations of improper conduct involving both itself and Al-Khelaifi. The fund emphasized that Al-Khelaifi does not influence decisions related to Lagardère, clarifying that routine operations of companies in which they invest are managed by executive staff rather than board members like Al-Khelaifi.
A close ally of the PSG president asserted that this case has “absolutely and emphatically nothing to do with Nasser Al-Khelaifi,” suggesting that he is merely being drawn into a misleading process due to his high profile. The source, who was not authorized to speak publicly, indicated that the matter would likely fade away over time without substantiated claims.
In addition to his presidency at PSG, Al-Khelaifi is a member of the UEFA executive committee and chairs the European Club Association, positioning him as a pivotal figure in club soccer, particularly in shaping the sporting and commercial trajectory of the Champions League. He also presides over the beIN Media Group, a Qatar-owned entity that serves as one of UEFA’s key commercial partners, holding Champions League broadcasting rights in various regions, including the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Southeast Asia.
