Criminal proceedings have been opened against Paris Saint-Germain President, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, in connection to the awarding of World Cup media rights for 2026 and 2030.
The proceedings are also connected to an ongoing investigation against former FIFA secretary general, Jerome Valcke for ‘various acts of criminal mismanagement’, according to the BBC.
They relate to the sale of World Cup TV rights to Bein Sports, of which Al-Khelaifi is the chief executive. The OAG said in a statement, on Thursday, that the new proceedings involving Al-Khelaifi had been “opened on the basis” of its findings.
“It is suspected that Jerome Valcke accepted undue advantages from a businessman in the sports rights sector in connection with the award of media rights for certain countries at the FIFA World Cups in 2018, 2022, 2026 and 2030 and from Nasser Al-Khelaifi in connection with the award of media rights for certain countries at the FIFA World Cups in 2026 and 2030.”
The investigation involving Al-Khelaifi began in March 2017, and is being conducted in partnership with authorities in France, Greece and Italy, the OAG added. Valcke was banned for 10years by world football governing body, FIFA, a decision he has since appealed.
