July 16 – Paris Saint-Germain’s Qatari president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, a member of UEFA’s executive committee and one of the most influential figures in world sports administration, is once again back in the news for all the wrong reasons, this time accused of breaching FIFA regulations in the signing of Argentine midfielder Javier Pastore back in 2011.
Al-Khelaifi, reportedly under investigation in France over Qatari bids to host the world athletics championships and already facing allegations in Switzerland linked to awarding broadcast rights for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups, is now accused of allegedly seeking help from the Qatari authorities to pay €2m to Pastore’s agent during transfer proceedings.
According to a Guardian report based on leaked information, Al-Khelaifi appears to have signed a letter to the chief of staff of the future emir of Qatar asking for assistance when Pastore was transferred from Italian club Palermo to PSG in a deal worth €40m plus bonuses.
This would breach article seven of FIFA’s regulations relating to intermediaries and is also in breach of French football rules, according to the Guardian and French outlet Mediapart.
In response to the allegations, Al-Khelaifi’s legal representatives disputed the authenticity of the documents and blamed those leading the trade and diplomatic blockade of Qatar for spreading “a huge amount of misleading information and fabricated documentation purportedly referring to the State of Qatar and the activities of various of its citizens.”
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