The Deputy Major of Paris, David Belliard has hit back at accusations of racism, levelled at him by Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
Relations between PSG and the Mayor’s office are strained. Les Parisiens currently play their football in the Parc des Princes and have made their intention to purchase the stadium clear in recent months. The club believe that work needs to be done in order to increase the capacity, however, they are not willing to do this without first obtaining ownership of their home ground, something the Mayor’s office is not willing to cease. Mayor Anne Hidalgo has also expressed a desire to continue the current agreement with PSG, which would see the Ligue 1 club remain a renter of the stadium.
Belliard brands Al-Khelaifi’s comments as ‘defamatory’
Belliard told Sud Radio that the city of Paris was not willing to sell the Parc des Princes to PSG’s Qatari owners, QSI. That comment has angered Al-Khelaifi, who has accused Belliard of racism. “He doesn’t want us to purchase the stadium because we’re Qatari, it’s just because we’re Qatari, we’re Arabs,” the PSG president told Le Parisien, who went on to question the legality of Belliard’s comments.
Speaking to Le Parisien, Belliard has responded to Al-Khelaifi’s accusations.”I explicitly said that I was opposed to selling the stadium to the Qataris, the current renters of the Parc des Princes, as well as any other private party. These are my exact words, which everyone can find in my interview. I admit that I am opposed to the sale of this Parisian heritage to private interests, regardless of their nationality. I think it should remain a common good, and therefore an asset of the municipality” he began.
Belliard added, “Branding me as a racist comes within the jurisdiction of defamation and it is not and it does not have a place in this important debate.”
PSG set Parc des Princes purchase deadline
In an interview with L’Équipe, Al-Khelaifi has reiterated his stance: either PSG become owners of the Parc des Princes, or the club will look to move. “If they don’t want to sell [the Parc des Princes], it’s not even an option [to stay]. We won’t wait a long time. We need to be certain within three months, otherwise, we’ll move,” said the PSG president.
One thing is certain, Les Parisiens will not move to the Stade de France. The deadline to submit offers for the stadium has now passed, without PSG lodging a bid. “It was a bit difficult”, said Al-Khelaifi, referencing the club’s decision to not attempt to purchase the stadium, situated in Saint-Denis. PSG’s options are therefore dwindling and the possibility of constructing a new stadium is becoming increasingly likely.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
