The PSG boss Nasser al-Khelaïfi is under investigation by the Anticor association for alleged abuse of power during a meeting of the Professional Football League (LFP) regarding the allocation of TV rights for the 2024 season, as reported by L’Equipe and confirmed by a source close to the case to AFP on Thursday.
The incident dates back to a preparatory meeting, held virtually, for the TV rights allocation, where tensions arose between the PSG president and other club counterparts. This meeting took place following an offer of 100 million euros from BeIN Sports to the LFP for broadcasting one match per week.
The issue at hand? Nasser al-Khelaïfi’s multiple roles. Anticor, which filed the report on March 3, claims that by participating in the meeting in July 2024 concerning the validation of the BeIN Sports offer, while also being the president of BeIN Media Group, he compromised his impartiality, independence, or objectivity, in an operation where he was responsible for oversight or administration.
“If Nasser al-Khelaïfi had not attended subsequent meetings regarding the LFP board’s acceptance of the offer in late July, he would have exerted strong pressure on the other Ligue 1 club presidents to accept the offer from BeIN Sports,” according to the report.
The individual’s lawyer, Me Renaud Semerdjian, strongly rejected the allegations against Nasser al-Khelaïfi, stating that they are unfounded both legally and factually. Highlighting the consequences of intertwining private interests in general interest decisions, Anticor’s legal expert Maxence Lambert underlines the public service role of the LFP.
(Note: The article discusses a legal investigation into the PSG president for potential misuse of power during a meeting about TV rights allocation for the 2024 season. The president is accused of conflicting interests due to his multiple roles in the industry.)
