PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi indicted in Lagardère investigation

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi faces charges of complicity in abuse of power.

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi has been indicted for complicity in abuse of power in an investigation concerning a key 2018 vote within the Lagardère group.

According to AFP, Al-Khelaïfi was formally charged on 5 February over allegations that he influenced Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, to shift its stance in an internal governance dispute involving Arnaud Lagardère in exchange for undisclosed benefits.

Judicial sources confirmed that the PSG president is also facing charges of complicity in vote-buying and obstruction of voting rights.

The investigation centres on whether Al-Khelaïfi played a role in QIA’s reversal of its initial position to support Lagardère’s governance resolutions, days after being contacted by the businessman and his associates.

A source close to Al-Khelaïfi dismissed the allegations, stating: “This case has nothing to do with Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. His name is being used improperly, and in a few years, this case will collapse in silence.”

The case is part of a broader probe into Lagardère’s financial activities. Prosecutors allege that Lagardère misused €125 million from Lagardère SAS and Lagardère Capital & Management to fund personal expenses over several years.

The 2018 dispute saw a struggle for control between Vincent Bolloré, aligned with Amber Capital, and Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, who backed Lagardère.

Five days after QIA initially voted in favour of Amber Capital’s resolutions, the fund changed its stance to support Lagardère.

Magistrates are examining whether this shift was linked to the appointment of Jamal Benomar, a British-Moroccan diplomat with ties to Doha, to Lagardère’s supervisory board as an “independent member.”

Al-Khelaïfi has faced multiple legal proceedings in recent years.

His indictment for corruption in Qatar’s bids for the 2017 and 2019 World Athletics Championships was annulled by France’s Court of Cassation in 2023, ruling French courts had no jurisdiction.

Parisian investigating judges are also reviewing allegations of kidnapping and detention in Qatar made by Franco-Algerian lobbyist Tayeb Benabderrahmane. Al-Khelaïfi has denied any involvement and has filed a counterclaim.