LONDON: Paris Saint-Germain’s president has been accused of misusing his connection with Qatar’s government to bring Argentine Javier Pastore to the Parisian club in 2011, according to a report in the UK’s Guardian newspaper.
The Parisian club’s chief executive Nasser Al-Khelaifi allegedly sought help from the Qatari leadership to pay €2 million ($2.25 million) to the player’s agent Marcelo Simonian during transfer proceedings.
According to an email in a large tranche of documents seen by the Guardian and France’s Mediapart, Al-Khelaifi asked the Emir of Qatar to pay the sum to ensure the player’s transfer to the current French champions would go through.
The documents also allege that Al-Khelaifi gave false information to a French judge, Renaud Van Ruymbeke, during the transfer of Pastore from Italian club Palermo to PSG for €40 million in the summer of 2011.
PSG’s Qatari chief is also accused of paying €200,000 to Qatar-based company Oryx QSI, a private company run by his brother.
The alleged actions break FIFA rules — article 7 of its regulations for intermediaries — which stipulate that it is forbidden for club owners to personally make payments to agents.
Meanwhile, the French Football Federation (FFF) told the Guardian and website Mediapart that such a payment would also “violate its regulations.”
The Guardian report said the letter in question from Al-Khelaifi apparently shows instructions for payments to be made to the “agent in charge of the player Javier Pastore and expenses of the company Oryx QSI” and is addressed to “His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al-Thani, chief of staff of His Highness the Crown Prince,” a reference to the current emir of Qatar before he was head of state.
PSG’s Qatari owner accused of misusing government connections for payments to Pastore agent
PSG’s Qatari owner accused of misusing government connections for payments to Pastore agent
- Nasser Al-Khelaifi allegedly sought help from the Qatari leadership to pay €2 million
- The alleged actions break FIFA rules
Late Nandez winner keeps Al-Qadsiah’s title hopes alive
- Al-Qadsiah move to 47 points, 3 behind leaders Al-Hilal, who are yet to play on Matchday 22
- Al-Taawoun fairytale run loses steam as Pericles Chamusca’s side continue difficult spell
RIYADH: All signs pointed to an unlikely title charge for Al-Qadsiah when they held Al-Hilal to a 2-2 draw in Dammam at the end of January.
Since then, it has been a testing period for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
While they remain unbeaten under the Northern Irishman, Al-Qadsiah have struggled to replicate their earlier intensity as fatigue begins to take its toll.
Despite those challenges, Al-Qadsiah have collected seven points from their last nine, with a dramatic late winner from Nahitan Nandez securing a valuable 1-0 victory over a resilient NEOM side. The road to those three points was anything but easy.
Al-Qadsiah should have been ahead inside three minutes. A high press initiated by Julian Quinones and Mateo Retegui forced NEOM goalkeeper Luis Maximiano into a costly error, with his attempted clearance falling straight to the Italian. The 2024/25 Serie A top scorer struck the post with the goal at his mercy, allowing NEOM to breathe a sigh of relief.
What followed was a tactical battle between Rodgers and Christophe Galtier.
The hosts made a few changes from their previous outing, with Nandez occupying the right flank instead of Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, while Ali Hazazi slotted into midfield.
NEOM mirrored the system, with their wingers tracking Nandez and Christopher Bonsu Baah as they dropped into a 5-4-1 defensive shape. Faris Abdi was a key outlet for the visitors, surging down the left flank on multiple occasions to support Luciano Rodriguez and Alexandre Lacazette.
It was Rodriguez and Lacazette who fashioned NEOM’s most dangerous chances of the night.
In the 38th minute, Koen Casteels denied Rodriguez with a powerful save. Minutes later, a cutback found Lacazette inside the box, but Casteels was again equal to the effort.
The Belgian emerged as the standout performer, making seven saves to keep Al-Qadsiah in contention. His efforts almost went unrewarded, however, as Retegui failed to convert further chances and Quinones endured his first game in 10 without a goal contribution.
Al-Qadsiah eventually grabbed the winner in the dying moments when a cross from Bonsu Baah was flicked on by new signing Waleed Al-Ahmed into the path of Nandez. The Uruguayan powered home what could prove to be the most valuable goal of the season, keeping Al-Qadsiah firmly in the title hunt.
Elsewhere, Damac enjoyed a perfect start under new manager Fabio Carille, as the Knights from the South secured their second win of the campaign with a 2-1 victory over Al-Taawoun.
Yakou Meite scored twice to give Damac their first win since late December, while Al-Taawoun drifted further from the top four after another match without victory.
The result moves Damac three points clear of Al-Riyadh in 16th place, easing immediate relegation concerns.
Meanwhile, Omar Al-Somah continued his pursuit of the all-time Saudi Pro League scoring record with a late winner for Al-Hazem. The hosts defeated Al-Okhdood 2-1 to climb temporarily into 11th, 12 points clear of the drop zone.
Saudi Pro League action returns on Friday, with Al-Shabab hosting Al-Ahli in Riyadh, Al-Hilal welcoming Al-Ettifaq and Al-Ittihad facing Al-Fayha to close out the day’s action.
