Al-Khelaifi, Valcke In Swiss Court For FIFA Corruption Trial

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and FIFA's former secretary general Jerome Valcke went on trial in Switzerland on Monday accused of corruption in the attribution of World Cup TV rights. Al-Khelaifi, who is also chairman of Qatar-owned broadcaster beIN Media, is charged with inciting Valcke to commit "aggravated criminal mismanagement".

The trial, which has already been delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic, is scheduled to last until September 25 at the Federal Criminal Court of Bellinzona. After opening, the trial was paused until 1130 GMT to allow a procedural point to be discussed.

If the trial runs its course, it will be the first judgement handed down in Switzerland, the seat of most international sports organisations, on the 20 or so proceedings opened in the last five years surrounding FIFA.