PSG boss investigated over World Cup media rights

By Fatih Erel

GENEVA

Swiss prosecutors on Thursday opened a criminal investigation into Paris Saint-Germain's chairman Nasser al-Khelaifi over suspected bribery linked to World Cup media rights.

The businessman is the head of Qatari television network beIN Sports, which was awarded tournament media rights by FIFA.

The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) has also been investigating former Secretary General of FIFA, Jerome Valcke.

In a statement, the OAG said Valcke was suspected of accepting “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”.

Earlier this year, Khelaifi broke the world record for a player transfer fee by signing Brazilian footballer Neymar from Barcelona for €222 million.