Paris St-Germain boss Christophe Galtier was allegedly upset at the number of black and Muslim players in his squad, according to reports in France.
The 56-year-old, who is understood to be on his way out of PSG this summer, spent 12 months with Nice before making the move to the Parc des Princes last year.
The allegations, for which Galtier and his son John Valvoc-Galtier were taken into police custody earlier, stemmed from a damaging email first published by the French outlet RMC Sport.
Sent by then Nice director of football Julien Fournier to Sir Dave Brailsford, director of sport at INEOS, the company that owns the French club, Galtier is implicated over allegedly making racist and insulting statements.
In the email, Fournier describes a meeting he had with Galtier immediately after speaking with his son, and agent, Valvoc-Galtier.
The former Nice director claims the football coach agreed with the issues his son had raised over the makeup of the team and that Fournier had to take into account the reality of the city which did not allow for 'so many blacks and Muslims in the team.'
It further alleges that Galtier told Fournier the team did not reflect Nice, adding that he visited a restaurant in the city where 'everyone came up to say that we have a team of blacks'.
Galtier is also alleged to have wished to reduce the number of Muslims in the squad and that the Ramadan period was described as affording him 'the opportunity to complain continuously about the fact that "we had too many Muslim players in the team".
The bombshell revelation triggered an investigation which has intensified with the summons of Galtier and his son by the Nice judicial police.
Galtier is understood to have always denied the accusations and has even filed a complaint.
In April, following the release of Fournier's email, he addressed the leak in a pre-prepared statement ahead of PSG's clash with Lens.
'I am deeply shocked by the comments attributed to me and which have been relayed by some in an irresponsible way,' he said.
'They hit me in the depths of my humanity. I am a child of a low-income housing estate, raised in diversity, and the values of sharing and respect for others, whatever their origin, colour or religion.
'My whole life as a man, as a footballer and then as a coach, has been dictated by the concern for, and sharing and living well with, others.'
A number of Nice players and coaches, as well as president Jean-Pierre Rivere and reserve manager Didier Digard, are believed to have already been interviewed by investigators.
Reports suggest Galtier is set to leave PSG in the coming days, with former Barcelona and Spain manager Luis Enrique in line to replace him.
Despite winning their record 11th French title last season, Galtier has endured a joyless year-long stint in charge. And as a result, Enrique is poised to replace him at the helm.
Hybrid637
0
When this man won the League One title with Lille, he had many black players in his squad with Burak Yilmaz as the top scorer. He won the league again with PSG with many black and Muslim players. Still he harbours so much hate for blacks and Muslims. What a pathetic vile human being.
🤌🤌🤌stfu that's what happen when you only read headline
JunaidAsan
0
When this man won the League One title with Lille, he had many black players in his squad with Burak Yilmaz as the top scorer. He won the league again with PSG with many black and Muslim players. Still he harbours so much hate for blacks and Muslims. What a pathetic vile human being.
Stupid read the whole post not just the title
nahdlryz
1
he's not showing hatred but if you read properly, he's just mentioning the disproportionate racial quotas of the team. when few players of colour are in a team there's so much issues about racism but when a team like France which has only about 30% blacks but the national team comprises 80% blacks, nobody complains. this is the modern day racism - selfishness and trying the quota option whenever possible.
ishti
0
When this man won the League One title with Lille, he had many black players in his squad with Burak Yilmaz as the top scorer. He won the league again with PSG with many black and Muslim players. Still he harbours so much hate for blacks and Muslims. What a pathetic vile human being.
DamnItsLiverpool
2
MF just playing victim. He said those words
Lowaelprty
0
This is crazy
MikaelGuerrero
0
lol 🤣