Several Paris Saint-Germain players, including striker Kylian Mbappe, asked head coach Christophe Galtier to address media questions about the ongoing controversy surrounding his former mentor in Nice. Reports indicate that the issue emerged through media coverage, prompting players to seek clarity in an informal team discussion.
There has been no formal club briefing on the matter. The dialogue reportedly took place among teammates off the record, as they considered the implications of the situation for the squad and its cohesion.
To recall, Julien Fournier, the sporting director at Nice, had previously raised concerns about the racist views attributed to Galtier, who led Nice for a period before moving to PSG ahead of the 2022/23 season. During that time, Nice reached the Coupe de France final, highlighting the tensions that have since resurfaced in the broader narrative around Galtier’s career.
Allegations have circulated that there were clashes between Galtier and Fournier over matters related to religion and the skin color of players considered for recruitment. It has been suggested that the coach held views favoring a white-only lineup for Nice, an assertion that has been vehemently contested by Galtier.
Galtier has publicly denied all charges against him, while supporters and critics alike continue to scrutinize his statements and past associations. The club has not issued a formal public response to the specific allegations, adding to the atmosphere of uncertainty surrounding the coach’s tenure.
Prior reporting had suggested that Galtier could face legal consequences, with potential penalties including imprisonment if the accusations were proven in a court of law. The legal dimension of the case has kept both the fanbase and observers attentive to any developments that could affect the club’s leadership and reputation.
On the field, PSG currently leads the league standings after 31 matchweeks, maintaining a strong position in domestic competition. However, the team faced a setback in European competition, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich that ended their run in the Champions League, curtailing their continental ambitions for the season.