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Qatar Contemplates Reducing French Investments Following PSG Chief Investigation
Claims of a 'witch hunt' regarding Nasser al-Khelaïfi raise concerns, despite French officials asserting that there will be no alterations to investment strategies.
Qatar is reportedly contemplating a decrease in future investments in France amid claims of a 'witch hunt' against its enterprises.
A government official with connections to Qatar informed POLITICO that the nation might scale back its investments following the formal investigation of Nasser al-Khelaïfi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain and a board member of the Qatar Investment Authority. He is facing allegations of complicity in vote buying and infringing upon voting rights as pursued by French financial prosecutors.
Al-Khelaïfi, who has undergone multiple inquiries in France without any convictions, is also under investigation regarding a conflict involving the French media group Lagardère, in which the Qatar Investment Authority has a stake.
French judicial authorities have confirmed the investigation, while an advisor to the French Trade Minister refuted claims that Qatar intends to cut investments, referencing ongoing ventures, including a €10 billion investment commitment made by Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron last year.
Furthermore, a police search of al-Khelaïfi’s residence in the summer of 2023 was associated with distinct allegations made by a French-Algerian lobbyist.
Despite the sale of a 12.5 percent share to U.S. firm Arctos Partners in 2023, Qatar's majority ownership of PSG, held by Qatar Sports Investments since 2012, remains intact.
A government official with connections to Qatar informed POLITICO that the nation might scale back its investments following the formal investigation of Nasser al-Khelaïfi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain and a board member of the Qatar Investment Authority. He is facing allegations of complicity in vote buying and infringing upon voting rights as pursued by French financial prosecutors.
Al-Khelaïfi, who has undergone multiple inquiries in France without any convictions, is also under investigation regarding a conflict involving the French media group Lagardère, in which the Qatar Investment Authority has a stake.
French judicial authorities have confirmed the investigation, while an advisor to the French Trade Minister refuted claims that Qatar intends to cut investments, referencing ongoing ventures, including a €10 billion investment commitment made by Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron last year.
Furthermore, a police search of al-Khelaïfi’s residence in the summer of 2023 was associated with distinct allegations made by a French-Algerian lobbyist.
Despite the sale of a 12.5 percent share to U.S. firm Arctos Partners in 2023, Qatar's majority ownership of PSG, held by Qatar Sports Investments since 2012, remains intact.
