Nice manager Didier Digard has responded to the controversy surrounding former Les Aiglons boss Christophe Galtier. A leaked email, allegedly written by former Nice Sporting Director Julien Fournier, has claimed that Galtier complained about the number of black and Muslim players in the Nice squad. Galtier’s lawyer has denied that the current PSG boss had made those discriminatory remarks.
Later in the afternoon, Nice-Matin published a report on Galtier’s tense relationship with several of his colleagues during his sole season on the southern coastline. The outlet shed light on a tense relationship between Galtier and then-reserve team manager Didier Digard – who since took over the senior team in the wake of Lucien Favre’s dismissal three months ago. Galtier 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 advised him to give Galtier a wide berth.
Speaking to the media before Nice’s Europa Conference League quarter-finals first leg against FC Basel, Digard did not rebuff those allegations. “You saw, like us, that we made the headlines today, however unintentionally,” Digard said in his press conference that Nice-Matin attended. “The club has released a statement. We won’t add anything more. There are two opposing versions, the truth will come out.” Digard moved to assured fans that the ongoing scrutiny on Nice and Galtier won’t disturb his players before their European showdown. “We are united, nothing will disturb us. No one will make us think about anything else.”
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 | Bastien Cheval
