« Because We’re Arabs? »: Tension Escalates Between Paris City Hall and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi over Parc des Princes Sale

In the latest episode of « Rothen s’enflamme » on RMC, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the president of PSG, expressed concern about statements made by David Belliard, deputy mayor of Anne Hidalgo, opposing the sale of Parc des Princes « to Qatar. » The deputy mayor responded to Al-Khelaïfi’s remarks.

Tensions are rising between Paris City Hall and PSG as the city continues to resist selling Parc des Princes to the club. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi attributes the refusal to discriminatory reasons, stating, « Because we’re from Qatar? Because we’re Arabs? That’s not right. » Al-Khelaïfi condemned the statements, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation: « I think even legally, he cannot say that. It’s serious. I don’t know what the lawyer says, but it’s serious. »

Expressing his dismay, Al-Khelaïfi added, « I don’t really know who this deputy is. But if I hear that as a human being, it’s not right. We are in France, in the land of freedom. I think that is really very serious. »

Al-Khelaïfi highlighted PSG’s contributions to Paris and called for respect: « We’ve done a lot for the city of Paris. How many people come to Paris to see PSG? I think a lot. We’ve made many investments in France; I believe we deserve more respect. I love Paris; I’m proud to be here. I want respect. We’ve done good things for the city. »

The PSG president asserted that the club won’t hesitate to leave if the city hall refuses to sell the venue: « The Parc is the best stadium in the world. But our supporters need something bigger and closer to the field, somewhat like in England. When we play, we want to have one of the best stadiums globally and want to invest. With financial fair play and investors, we have no choice. If they don’t want it, we’ll leave, and that would be the worst choice. »

David Belliard, an elected official in Paris City Hall, denounced Al-Khelaïfi’s accusations: « Calling me a racist amounts to defamation and is not at the level of the stakes of this important debate, » responded the Green Party (EELV) member in Le Parisien. « Yes, I stand by the fact that I will oppose the sale of this Parisian heritage to private interests, regardless of their nationality, » Belliard concluded in Le Parisien. « I believe it should remain a common good and thus a municipal asset. »