PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has been indicted amid allegations he was involved in corruption as Qatar bid to host two major athletics events.
Al-Khelaifi has become one of the most recognisable figures in football as the figurehead of PSG’s attempts to become a force in the European game.
But now he has been named by magistrates in France as being under investigation for “active bribery”.
Fellow PSG board member Yousef Al-Obaidly has also been placed under investigation as authorities look into the way Qatar bid to stage the 2017 World Athletics Championships.
The 2017 edition was staged successfully by London, while this year’s event was awarded to Doho, the capital of Qatar.
It has been alleged that the pair were involved in bribery in an attempt to buy the hosting rights on behalf of Qatar – though both deny any wrongdoing.
Central to the indictment is that they were involved in the sanctioning of a £2.7million payment made into the account of a company owned by the son of the former IAAF president Lamine Diack.
Al-Obaidly says he voluntarily met investigators as part of their inquiries.
He said in a statement: “The allegations are completely and categorically denied and will be vehemently challenged using the full force of the law.
“It would not be appropriate to say anything further.”
Diack himself has also been named by authorities as under investigation.
Athletes across the globe are stepping up their preparations ahead of the world championships, which will be staged in Doho between September 28-October 6.
Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk
