Al-Khelaifi in trouble before Real Madrid match

The week of the Real Madrid-Paris Saint-Germain clash began in turmoil for Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of the French club. He and former FIFA secretary Jerome Valcke appeared on Monday in Switzerland to appeal a ruling acquitting them of corruption charges in television broadcasting rights between FIFA and beIN Sports, which is also run by Al-Khelaifi.

The process is taking place in the Appeals Chamber of the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona, Switzerland and is due to conclude on Thursday. Both have been charged with unfair administration and their sentences can be up to five years in prison.

In the first instance, the prosecution had requested a 28-month prison sentence against Al-Khelaifi and three years against Valcke, but they were acquitted in 2022, prompting the public prosecution to appeal against the court’s decision.

In their civil judgment, the judges even described the villa that the former FIFA Secretary had bought after negotiating with beIN Sports as a “bribery.” But in the criminal judiciary, they could not convict them of “private corruption”, as FIFA withdrew its complaint in January 2020 after an agreement with Al-Khelaifi.

Currently, corruption could not be proven in the contract FIFA signed with beIN Sports for $480 million for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups, a 60% increase over the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, the court ruled so the appeals court will have to explain This issue is further discussed in that trial.

Source: AS