Reports outline tense relationship between Christophe Galtier and Didier Digard at Nice

An email disclosed last night by journalist Romain Molina, and later corroborated by RMC‘s Daniel Riolo, reportedly sees former Nice director Julien Fournier accuse then-manager Christophe Galtier of racist and Islamophobic remarks, in particular regarding the ethnic make-up of the team and the topic of Ramadan fasting. The allegations have once again put the spotlight on the tumultuous rapport between the two over the course of last season.

Nice-Matin and Le Parisien have this afternoon outlined the supposedly tense relationships between the now-PSG manager and his colleagues during his sole season with Les Aiglons.  

The two outlets notably detail a tense relationship between Galtier and then-reserve team manager Didier Digard – who since took over the senior team three months ago. The former is said to have criticised the ex-midfielder’s religious beliefs and his beard, reportedly leading to Digard handing in a letter of resignation to Fournier. The former director pleaded with him to stay, and to avoid confronting Galtier.

Le Parisien add that Galtier sought to point out Fournier’s shortcomings in the transfer market to INEOS pair Dave Brailsford and Jim Ratcliffe, in order to push for his departure. The leaked email containing the accusations of racism was reportedly sent by Fournier before his departure – after which Nice were prepared to let go of Galtier, until PSG were prepared to pay compensation to hire him.

Fournier, who left the club in the summer, has denied being responsible for the contents of the email transpiring, while Galtier, through a statement made by his lawyer to AFP, has refuted the allegations “in the strongest terms“.

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin