Lagardère Case: Nasser Al-Khelaïfi’s Indictment Triggers Strong Reaction from Qatar

A Threat to Withdraw Investments from France

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi was indicted on February 5 for complicity in vote-buying, undermining voting freedom, and abuse of power in the Lagardère case. This legal action, linked to a possible intervention in favor of Arnaud Lagardère in 2018, has sparked a strong reaction in Qatar.

According to several sources, Qatari leaders, frustrated by what they see as judicial and media abuses, are now threatening to withdraw their investments from France, including beIN Sports and PSG.

An Investigation into the PSG President’s Influence

The investigation aims to determine whether Nasser Al-Khelaïfi exerted pressure to alter a key vote by the Qatari sovereign wealth fund QIA, then a shareholder in the Lagardère group, in exchange for benefits. This case follows a complaint filed by Amber Capital in 2021 and a report from the Financial Markets Authority.

The Qatari executive denied these accusations during his hearing, stating that he had no influence over the decision and found himself “caught in a case with which he has no connection.”

Growing Tensions Between Qatar and France

This indictment has reignited tensions between Qatar and France. A source close to the Qatari government expressed frustration:
“The Qataris have had enough of these abuses—false prosecutions, blackmail, constant criticism… Every time they invest, they are accused of ‘soft power.’ This is pure abuse.”

Furthermore, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi has been mentioned in other legal cases, including a complaint for the alleged kidnapping and detention of a Franco-Algerian lobbyist—an accusation he firmly denies.

Given this situation, Doha is seriously reconsidering its economic presence in France, casting uncertainty over the future of beIN Sports and Paris Saint-Germain.