John Textor Accuses PSG of Violating European Law in Fiery Interview
Lyon President John Textor has sparked controversy by accusing Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) of violating European law through its financial practices.
In a lengthy interview with AS, Textor, who is also the owner of Olympique Lyonnais, expressed his dissatisfaction with the sanctions imposed on his club by the French financial watchdog, the DNCG. He alleged that Lyon has been treated unfairly compared to PSG, which he accused of receiving illegal state funding from Qatar.
Textor’s Allegations:
Textor claimed that PSG’s funding model, which involves significant financial injections from Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), a sovereign wealth fund owned by the state of Qatar, is illegal under European law. He argued that such funding distorts competition and gives PSG an unfair advantage.
"The PSG model of financing is illegal, our model is perfectly legal and we are the model that gets sanctioned. They are allowed to continue to violate European law," Textor said.
Evidence and Legal Basis:
Textor provided some evidence to support his claims, stating that PSG’s revenues were less than $100 million in 2011, before the arrival of QSI. He alleged that QSI has been providing hundreds of millions of dollars in funding annually, which has enabled PSG to dominate the French league and compete at the highest levels in Europe.
He cited European Union regulations that prohibit state-owned entities from unfairly subsidizing businesses operating in the EU, as it distorts competition. Textor believes that PSG’s funding from QSI falls under this category.
Lyon’s Response and Legal Action:
Textor expressed Lyon’s intention to take action against PSG and the DNCG. He stated that Lyon will request that the French Football League (LFP) investigate PSG’s compliance with European law and that they will escalate the matter to the European Commission if necessary.
"We are going to make a request to the League that PSG comply with the law of the European Commission and we are going to ask the legal commission of the LFP to analyze this issue, as other clubs have done with us and Thiago Almada," Textor said.
Reaction and Impact:
Textor’s accusations have sparked a strong reaction in the French football community. Some clubs have expressed support for Lyon’s stance, while others have remained silent. The LFP and the DNCG have yet to comment on Textor’s allegations publicly.
The potential legal implications for PSG and the wider implications for financial fair play in European football are significant. If Textor’s allegations are proven to be true, it could lead to sanctions against PSG and a reassessment of how clubs are financed in the EU.
