Fifa World Cup: PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi charged in connection with bribery over television rights

The charges relate to the broadcasting rights for the showpiece event and have been brought by the Swiss attorney general

Paris Saint-Germain's president Nasser Al-Khelaifi hailed the title triumph and thanked the fan for their support (AFP/Getty)

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has been charged in connection with bribing Ex-FIFA Secretary General Jerôme Valcke over television rights for the World Cup, Switzerland’s attorney general (OAG) announced.

Valcke has also been charged for accepting bribes, several counts of aggravated criminal mismanagement and falsification of documents, the OAG added.

Al-Khelaifi has been charged, along with a third unnamed person, with inciting Valcke to commit aggravated criminal mismanagement.

The 46-year-old is the chairman of beIN Media Group as well as a member of the Uefa executive committee.

In addition to the broadcasting rights, the charges concern the purchase of a villa in Sardinia, Italy.

The investigation alleges Valcke was given exclusive right to use the property for 18 months, until he was suspended by Fifa in 2015, without having to pay rent up to €1.8 million for that period.

Valcke is also accused of receiving three payments totalling €1.25 million to his company Sportunited LLC.

Al-Khelaifi denied any wrongdoing after being questioned in 2017 and 2019 in connection with criminal proceedings that were opened three years ago.

The PSG chief reiterated his stance in light of the charges, stating: “I have been cleared of all suspicions of bribery and the case has been dismissed definitively and conclusively.

“While a secondary technical charge remains outstanding, I have every expectation that this will be proven completely groundless.”