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Paris Saint-Germain could lose funding from Qatar after a recent drama involving their owner

A storm is brewing over Paris Saint-Germain after Qatari officials reportedly threatened to withdraw investments in France, including PSG and BeIN Sports, in response to the legal troubles of club chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

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The revelation, first reported by Agence France Presse, has sent shockwaves through both French football and international business circles.

Al-Khelaifi indicted amid vote-buying allegations

On February 5, Al-Khelaifi was formally indicted by French authorities on charges of “complicity in vote-buying and infringement on voting freedom,” as well as “complicity in abuse of power.”

The case revolves around an alleged attempt to influence a crucial 2018 vote by Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund (QIA), which was a shareholder in French businessman Arnaud Lagardère’s group.

The judicial investigation is examining whether Al-Khelaifi misused his influence to persuade QIA to change its position during a power struggle within Lagardère’s company, allegedly in exchange for certain benefits.

These accusations have only added to the growing scrutiny surrounding Al-Khelaifi, who has previously been linked to other legal disputes in France.

Qatar’s growing frustration with France

The response from Qatar’s leadership has been swift and sharp. According to journalist Arthur Perrot of RMC Sport, Qatari officials believe the legal action against Al-Khelaifi is part of a broader pattern of unfair treatment toward their investments in France.

“The Qataris have had enough of these abuses. False legal proceedings, blackmail, daily criticism, being blamed for the total incompetence of others—every problem in France is their fault.

“Every time they try to help, it’s supposedly for ‘soft power.’ This is pure abuse, and everyone has had enough,” a source close to the Qatari government told RMC Sport.

This isn’t the first time Al-Khelaifi has faced legal scrutiny. His previous indictment for corruption related to Qatar’s bids for the 2017 and 2019 World Athletics Championships was dismissed in February 2023 by France’s Court of Cassation.