He had disappeared from the radar for many months. Prosecuted and judged for racial discrimination and harassment during his time on the OGC Nice bench (2021-2022), Christophe Galtier was acquitted by the Nice criminal court on December 21, 2023. For the first time since the decision of justice, the current coach of Al-Duhail (Qatar) took the floor to discuss, in particular, this legal case during an interview with L’Équipe.
“It was an infamy,” judges the former Paris Saint-Germain coach. Finally, I was totally and finally relaxed. Justice has established my innocence. Without a doubt. That’s why I’m happy,” he admitted.
“I was the victim of revenge”
If he still considers having “been the victim of revenge” by Julien Fournier, the former sports director of OGC Nice who had written a letter accusing Christophe Galtier of racism, the 57-year-old technician revealed that he had withdrawn his complaints against his accuser, but also journalists Romain Molina and Daniel Riolo, whom he considered guilty of defamation against him. “I had one goal: to have my innocence and my perfect respect for human and sporting values recognized. Justice responded to my expectations, in its decision of December 21. She has already wasted enough time and resources with this sad affair. »
Moving on, the double French champion wanted to thank the Parisian staff, “his highness the Emir Tamim ben-Hamad Al-Thani, President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and Luis Campos” for their support during the ‘affair. “I thank Paris-SG again for ensuring my safety on each of my professional but also personal trips. Your normal life changes automatically. She stops. You’re being careful. »
“No frustration” compared to PSG
The experienced French coach also spoke about his season on the Paris Saint-Germain bench. Arriving from the capital in June 2023 at the end of a contrasting season which saw him win two trophies (Ligue 1 and the Champions Trophy), while being eliminated very early in the Coupe de France and the Champions League (8th). final against Bayern Munich), Galtier insists on “a very special season” and highlights the World Cup in Qatar, played in the middle of the season, to justify the mixed second half of his group.
“Never have players played so much in such a short time in Europe. After an almost perfect course, woes! Thirteen or fourteen Paris-SG players participated in the World Cup. It generated fatigue, physical and mental, and significant injuries,” he said, while considering that he did not benefit from a group as complete as that at the disposal of his successor, Luis Enrique. “How am I going to say this, without sounding pretentious? The problem was freshness. How to get it? Thanks to the famous rotations. I am very happy with what is currently happening to the players, the club, the president and the coach, Luis Enrique. »
Not holding a grudge, although he would have “liked to stay for a second season”, Galtier wanted to promote his record, particularly with Warren Zaire-Emery. “I’m happy to see him playing on the right (in the full-back position). This comforts me about what I was able to do with him. If he has the biggest share in his success, I have mine too. So I don’t feel any frustration. »
Galtier confirms having refused OM
Under contract with Al-Duhail until June 2025, the technician justified his exile in Qatar by a desire to “recover physically, to digest the season and the affair”. A need for calm and appeasement which pushed him to refuse tempting offers from Naples, Al-Hilal or even Olympique de Marseille, last October.
“The day I made the decision not to join OM was the most difficult moment of my career,” he reveals, he who did not want to pollute the daily life of the Marseille club with his trial. “I felt deep down that I had no right to unwittingly and unwillingly associate the club with my court date. »
