Nasser Al-Khelaifi The Troubled Empire at the Heart of European Football

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As European football continues to evolve under the growing influence of Gulf players, one figure dominates the backstage of this complex and often opaque world: Nasser Al-Khelaifi. At the helm of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) since 2011, this Qatari minister has become an indispensable player in European football. However, behind the success and headlines lies a series of legal issues and scandals that cast a shadow over his reign and raise serious questions about the integrity of global sports.

The Tayeb Benabderrahmane Case: Kidnapping and Forced Silence

One of the most shocking cases surrounding Nasser Al-Khelaifi is that of Tayeb Benabderrahmane, a French businessman who was arbitrarily detained and tortured for 307 days in 2020. According to his complaint, this detention aimed to force him to remain silent about documents potentially compromising to Al-Khelaifi. His release was only granted after he signed a confidentiality agreement, including a penalty clause stipulating a €5 million fine if he broke the silence.

This case took a new turn in July 2023, when French police raided Al-Khelaifi’s home as part of the investigation. Although the inquiry is still ongoing, it reveals the troubling grip of the football mogul and the coercive methods allegedly used to protect his interests.

 

Hicham Karmoussi: The Instructive Case of the Butler Turned Scapegoat

The Hicham Karmoussi case is perhaps the most well-known and revealing of these practices. A loyal assistant to Al-Khelaifi, Karmoussi served as a mediator in his personal affairs, notably during an incident involving Al-Khelaifi’s partner, Ms. Lucie Veyret. However, the turning point came in 2017, when Karmoussi was ordered to “clean up” Al-Khelaifi’s house during an investigation into corruption over the awarding of World Cup television rights. Forced to hide evidence and burn compromising documents, Karmoussi later became the target of direct threats from his employer. His desire to end this toxic work relationship eventually led to a secret death sentence by Qatar, revealing the brutality of the repressive system surrounding Al-Khelaifi.

 

The Mbappé Saga: Pressure and Manipulation

Even on the football field, Al-Khelaifi’s methods are frequently called into question. The most emblematic example is the handling of Kylian Mbappé, one of the world’s biggest football stars. In 2022, Mbappé surprised the football world by deciding to stay at PSG rather than join Real Madrid. According to several reports, this decision was made under pressure, with direct intervention from the Qatari state, which saw Mbappé as a central figure in its soft power strategy.

As PSG president, Al-Khelaifi allegedly used his political influence to convince Mbappé to stay, offering him an exorbitant contract while also applying indirect pressure beyond mere financial incentives.

Corruption and Television Rights Scandals: The FIFA Case

Beyond these personal scandals, Al-Khelaifi has been directly involved in large-scale corruption cases, particularly surrounding the television rights for international competitions. In 2020, Swiss prosecutors accused him of corruption in a case involving the broadcasting rights for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups for the beIN Sports channel, where he serves as president. Although cleared by Swiss courts, this case highlighted questionable ties between Al-Khelaifi and former FIFA officials, notably Jérôme Valcke, the organization’s former secretary-general.

Moreover, documents revealed by the Sunday Times showed that in 2010, just before Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup, Al-Khelaifi, then director of Al Jazeera Sport, had negotiated a contract promising $100 million to FIFA if Qatar won the bid. This “success bonus” directly violated FIFA rules, but no serious investigation was launched into the matter.

The World Athletics Championships Scandal

In 2019, Al-Khelaifi was again at the center of a scandal when French authorities opened an investigation into suspicions of corruption related to the awarding of the World Athletics Championships to Doha. Prosecutors accused Al-Khelaifi of paying $3.5 million to Papa Massata Diack, son of the former president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), in exchange for his support for Qatar’s bid. Although the case was eventually dismissed, it reinforced the idea that Al-Khelaifi’s connections with sports authorities are tainted by questionable practices.

The Surveillance Scandal: Espionage and Intimidation in Al-Khelaifi’s Service

Several journalistic investigations have exposed illegal surveillance and espionage practices involving Al-Khelaifi’s associates. According to a report by the news site Mediapart, PSG allegedly used private agencies to monitor and intimidate individuals deemed “risky.” Among them were club employees, journalists, and even former allies who had become inconvenient. This espionage network was allegedly used to track the activities of those who dared to challenge Al-Khelaifi’s decisions or expose his secrets.

 

A Systemic Conflict of Interest at the Heart of European Sports

Beyond the legal cases, Al-Khelaifi is at the center of what is arguably one of the most significant conflicts of interest in global sports. As president of PSG, a member of UEFA’s executive committee, and president of beIN Sports, he controls both a football club, a major broadcaster, and a European governing body. This concentration of power raises serious ethical concerns, particularly regarding the negotiations over the television rights for European competitions.

Under Al-Khelaifi’s leadership, beIN Sports has secured numerous exclusive contracts to broadcast UEFA competitions, including the Euro and the Champions League. The question arises: how can one expect impartial governance when one of the key negotiators also sits at the decision-making table?

An Influence Undermining the Integrity of Global Sports

Nasser Al-Khelaifi’s career is marked by a series of troubling scandals, ranging from corruption allegations to manipulation and intimidation. His grip on European and global football exposes the severe flaws of a system where financial and political interests outweigh sports ethics.

While his critics continue to denounce his practices, Al-Khelaifi remains firmly entrenched in the corridors of power, enjoying an impunity that raises questions. As the scandals multiply, the question remains: who will finally stand up to his empire and Qatar’s growing influence in global football?