Swiss prosecutors have opened up criminal proceedings against Paris Saint-Germain chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
The proceedings relate to the sale of World Cup TV rights to beIN Sports, of which Al-Khelaifi is chief executive, and are connected to the ongoing investigation into former FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke.
The Office of Switzerland's Attorney General (OAG) confirmed that the investigation concerns alleged bribes offered to Valcke in return for the Qatari-owned BeIn Sports being awarded the 2026 and 2030 World Cup rights.
A statement from the OAG said it was "suspected that Jerome Valcke accepted undue advantages from a businessman in the sports rights sector in connection with the award of media rights for certain countries at the FIFA World Cups in 2018, 2022, 2026 and 2030 and from Nasser Al-Khelaifi in connection with the award of media rights for certain countries at the FIFA World Cups in 2026 and 2030".
The investigation into Al-Khelaifi was reportedly opened in March 2017 and is being conducted in partnership with French, Greek, Italian and Spanish authorities.
Barney Corkhill
