Paris St-Germain Demands Textor Stop “Defamatory” Statements

Paris St-Germain (PSG) have issued a legal threat to Lyon owner John Textor, demanding he cease what the French champions describe as “defamatory and damaging statements” about the club. PSG’s response comes after Textor’s recent interview with Brazilian publication Globo, in which he criticized PSG’s financial practices and claimed he was competing against “a country, not an owner.” Textor, who through his Eagle Football Holdings group is a major shareholder in Lyon and Crystal Palace, described PSG as a “model of unbridled spending without restrictions.”

PSG, majority-owned by Qatar Sports Investments since 2011, took issue with Textor’s remarks, which they argue are false and inflammatory. In a letter signed by PSG’s general secretary, Victoriano Melero, and seen by BBC Sport, the club labeled Textor’s comments as “false, incendiary, undignified, and nonsensical.” PSG accused Textor of hypocrisy, pointing out that Lyon, under his management, has faced scrutiny from UEFA and French financial watchdog DNCG due to financial issues.

The DNCG had imposed restrictions on Lyon’s transfers and wage bill last July but lifted these measures in December after approving the club’s revised budget. Additionally, PSG addressed Textor’s criticism of Premier League spending rules, highlighting that a substantial portion of PSG’s ownership is held by US investor Arctos and that less than 20% of the club’s commercial revenue comes from Qatari companies. PSG noted that only one of their 50 new partners in the past six years is a Qatari brand.

The letter concludes with Paris St-Germain (PSG) warning Textor that continued defamatory statements could lead to further legal action in France, in addition to the lawsuits he is already facing in Brazil. Textor has faced legal challenges in Brazil related to accusations of corruption and match-fixing, which he has publicly defended.