Nicolas Anelka Advocates for Qatari Investment in Ligue 1

Nicolas Anelka, former PSG striker, defends Qatari involvement in Ligue 1, asserting that their presence has been vital for the league’s health. He notes PSG’s dominance since 2011 with numerous titles, while acknowledging their challenges in Europe. Anelka compares Al-Khelaifi’s influence to past figures in French football, emphasizing the necessity of such investment for maintaining competitiveness in Ligue 1.

Nicolas Anelka, the former striker for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), offered a robust defense of the Qatari involvement in Ligue 1, asserting that such investment has been beneficial for French football. He expressed that without Qatar’s support, the league would suffer significantly. Anelka remarked, “If Qatar decides to leave, it would be very bad for the French league, which is already in trouble,” highlighting concerns over the league’s future without Qatari presence.

Since the Qatari Sports Investments (QSI) takeover in 2011, PSG has been dominant in French football, securing an impressive tally of ten Ligue 1 titles, seven Coupe de France trophies, and eleven Trophée des Champions. Although PSG has yet to secure a European title under Al-Khelaifi’s leadership, they attained runner-up status in the UEFA Champions League in 2020 and reached the semi-finals three times. The club is currently geared up for a quarter-final match against Aston Villa.

Anelka acknowledged the substantial investments made by PSG, particularly in a new state-of-the-art training center. He noted the significant influence of Nasser Al-Khelaifi, suggesting that while other clubs may be apprehensive, such concern is typical when a single club holds the largest budget in the league. He drew parallels between Al-Khelaifi’s power and the influential tenures of Jean-Michel Aulas at Olympique Lyonnais during the early 2000s and Bernard Tapie at Olympique de Marseille in the 1980s and 90s.

Under Aulas’s leadership, Lyon captured seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles, becoming one of the foremost clubs by 2008, valued at €383 million. Tapie’s Marseille team also distinguished itself with four championships and secured a notable place in history by winning the UEFA Champions League in 1993. Anelka contends that the current landscape of French football is enhanced by Qatari involvement, preserving the competitive nature of Ligue 1.

In summary, Nicolas Anelka has articulated strong support for the Qatari involvement in Ligue 1, emphasizing its critical contribution to the growth and success of French football. He draws historical comparisons to other notable club leaders and highlights the ongoing advancements within PSG, underscoring that the departure of Qatari investors would jeopardize the league’s stability. Anelka’s insights reflect the significance of financial investment in sports and its potential to shape dominance and competitiveness in football.

Original Source: www.getfootballnewsfrance.com