Architect of Qatar’s dubious deals stands trial in Switzerland

Doaa Emam

The Swiss prosecution started investigating Qatari businessman Nasser al-Khelaifi, the president of the French sports club, Paris Saint-Germain, and the chairman of beIN Sports network.

Al-Khelaifi’s trial started on September 14 in connection with the broadcast rights of the World Cups 2026 and 2030, in yet a new series of corruption cases in which the Qatari businessman is involved.

Standing trial

The Swiss prosecution said earlier that al-Khelaifi would stand trial on charges of corruption.

It added that al-Khelaifi is also accused of inciting Jérôme Valcke, the former secretary-general of FIFA, into corruption and mismanagement.

Evidence

The British newspaper, The Guardian, revealed recently the presence of an exchange of emails between incumbent Qatari Prime Minister Khalid bin Khalifa al-Thani and Papa Massata Diack, the son of Lamine Diack, the former president of the International Association of Athletics Federations.

In one of the emails, Diack’s son thanks the prime minister of Qatar for showing him hospitality during his to Doha.

He also sent him his bank account details to that the Qatari prime minister can send him $4.5 million.

Diack asked the Qatari prime minister to transfer him the money as soon as possible so that he can settle some issues with his father, then the president of the International Association of Athletics Federations.

A company owned by al-Khelaifi transferred $3.5 million to Diack’s bank account eight days later.

The opposition site, Qatarileaks, describes al-Khelaifi as the architect of Qatar’s dubious deals. It said al-Khelaifi allowed the second most senior official in the international football federation, FIFA, to stay at a villa he owns in Italy for free.