Nicolas Anelka defends Qatari investment in Ligue 1, stating its importance to the league’s health. Since 2011, PSG has dominated French football with numerous titles, while also investing in facilities. Anelka compares Al-Khelaifi’s influence to past successful figures in French football, suggesting such power is inherent to the top clubs.
Nicolas Anelka, a former striker for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), asserts that the Qatari involvement in Ligue 1 has been beneficial for the league. He states, “If Qatar decides to leave, it would be very bad for the French league, which is already in trouble,” indicating that their presence has bolstered the French top flight amid its challenges.
Since Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) acquired PSG in 2011, the club has enjoyed significant success, securing 10 Ligue 1 titles, seven Coupe de France titles, and 11 Trophée des Champions. Although PSG has not triumphed in Europe since this takeover, they reached the UEFA Champions League final in 2020 and have semifinal appearances as well. Currently, they are competing in the quarter-finals against Aston Villa, highlighting their continued ambition.
Anelka notes that PSG has invested significantly in facilities, including a state-of-the-art training center, and acknowledges the power of Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the club’s president. He argues that concerns from rivals are normal when a club commands the largest budget in France. Anelka compares Al-Khelaifi’s influence to past figures in French football, such as Jean-Michel Aulas of Olympique Lyonnais and Bernard Tapie of Olympique de Marseille.
Aulas led Lyon to seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles in the 2000s and significantly increased the club’s value, while Tapie’s Marseille squad was renowned in the late 1980s and early 90s for its talent and achievements, including a Champions League victory, the only one by a French team in the tournament’s earlier format.
The contributions of the Qatari ownership to PSG and Ligue 1 have yielded remarkable successes and considerable investment. Anelka emphasizes that the French league stands to suffer in the absence of Qatari involvement. The historical context provided reinforces the notion that significant financial backing can elevate a club’s standing both domestically and in European competitions.
Original Source: www.getfootballnewsfrance.com
