Former PSG, Nice boss Christophe Galtier 'cleared of racism allegations'

After leading Lille to the Ligue 1 title in the 2020-21 season, Galtier departed to take the reins at Nice, spending just one season at the Allianz Riviera before replacing Mauricio Pochettino at PSG.

Earlier this year, serious allegations of racism and Islamophobia surfaced against the Frenchman, which were leaked in an email sent by Nice's former sporting director Julien Fournier to Dave Brailsford, who serves as a director for Nice's owners Ineos.

Galtier was alleged to have complained about the number of black and Muslim players in his Nice squad and also condemning fasting during Ramadan, in spite of being shown data proving that the religious observance had little impact on performance levels.

The 57-year-old vehemently denied the allegations, claiming that he was "deeply shocked" by the revelations, but he was nevertheless summoned to stand trial this month after being charged with "moral harassment and discrimination on the grounds of actual or supposed membership or non-membership of a particular ethnic group, nation, alleged race or religion".

As judicial proceedings got underway last week, Galtier confirmed that he had used the expression "King Kong" to refer to two black Saint-Etienne players, Harold Moukoudi and Mickael Nade, but denied that the use of the term had any racial connotations.

Galtier claimed that he was highlighting Moukoudi and Nade's "strength and power" with the reference to King Kong and claimed that he used the same expression to describe Nicolas Pallois, a white Nantes defender.

The Frenchman also refuted allegations that he labelled Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo a "salafist" who would "come and shoot everyone", and according to RMC Sport, he has now been acquitted.

Prosecutors had reportedly sought a 12-month suspended prison sentence and fine of €45,000 (£39,000) against Galtier, but the Nice court found him not guilty of the alleged offences in their final verdict.

After being sacked by PSG at the end of the 2022-23 season, Galtier took charge of Qatari outfit Al-Duhail in October and has endured a mixed start with four wins, one draw and five defeats from his opening 10 games in charge.

Meanwhile, Les Parisiens hired ex-Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique to succeed Galtier, and the Ligue 1 champions sit five points clear over Nice at the top of the table thanks to Wednesday's 3-1 win over Metz.