Harassment allegations: Al‑Khelaïfi's former butler testifies
In the programme “Complément d’enquête” broadcast on Thursday on France 2, Hicham Karmoussi, former butler to Paris Saint‑Germain president Nasser Al‑Khelaïfi, testified after filing a complaint in 2023 for undeclared work. He describes moral harassment and oppressive living conditions.
Hicham Karmoussi was regarded as Nasser Al‑Khelaïfi’s trusted man. Today, he is in open conflict with the PSG president. His testimony marks a clear break with the leader’s inner circle. He says this break stems from a growing climate of mistrust within the club.
The filing of the complaint in 2023
In March 2023, the butler filed a complaint for undeclared work and moral harassment. The public prosecutor confirmed the admissibility of these facts. He renewed his approach in September 2023 by becoming a civil party. This legal action aims to officially recognise the rights of the undeclared employee.
Described working conditions
Karmoussi says he began assisting “NAK” in the mid‑2000s. He worked full‑time for Al‑Khelaïfi from 2011, the year the latter took over the PSG presidency. No employment contract was ever signed and he lived at the president’s house. He notes that he had to stay at the boss’s home 24 hours a day, without holidays. “I wasn’t allowed to see my family, I had to stay with him,” he says. Emails arrived at 3 a.m., 4 a.m. or 6 a.m., and he was forced to reply or face problems. He says the messages came at any hour, including 6 a.m., and silence was punished.
Karmoussi describes a form of non‑physical violence, which he calls “spitting, insults”. He says the atmosphere was intimidating and the threats were daily. These statements reinforce the seriousness of the investigation. According to him, these humiliations were daily and deeply affected his well‑being.
Allegations of kidnapping attempt
In another excerpt, he recounts a kidnapping attempt and voice messages between him and the president. Upon his return to Paris, he found that the locks on his apartment had been changed. Al‑Khelaïfi allegedly replied that he had to go to Doha to retrieve the keys. He says the threats of travel to Doha were conditioned on handing over the keys, reinforcing a feeling of imprisonment.
Hicham Karmoussi’s testimony fuels the legal case already opened against Nasser Al‑Khelaïfi. It exposes working practices within the PSG circle and could lead to significant legal consequences. The case is generating strong media interest in France. The file could thus influence PSG’s image internationally and trigger further testimonies.