PSG showdown with Lens overshadowed by Galtier racism allegations

The 56-year-old was this week forced to issue a statement via his lawyer categorically denying that he made discriminatory remarks towards players when in charge of Nice last season.

That came after allegations that surfaced in an email apparently sent by the former Nice sporting director Julien Fournier and which have been reported by various French media.

The message, which AFP has not been able to verify, was reportedly sent by Fournier to Dave Brailsford – the former head of British Cycling and now Director of Sport at Ineos, the owners of Nice – and accused Galtier of making racist and Islamophobic remarks relating to the squad.

Galtier has received threats since the reports surfaced and has been placed under protection by PSG. His lawyer has promised to take legal action.

The coach left Nice for Paris at the end of last season and PSG's leading supporters' group, Collectif Ultras Paris, said it would "not be acceptable" for him to remain in charge if the allegations were proven to be true.

Galtier had already been under increasing pressure due to PSG's faltering form since they were knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 by Bayern Munich last month.

Successive home defeats against Rennes and Lyon had allowed Lens to close the gap at the top of the table before PSG won 2-0 at Nice last weekend thanks to goals by Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos.

The reigning champions therefore come into Saturday's showdown at the Parc des Princes with a lead of six points over their nearest rivals.

That means they will be primed to go on and claim a French record 11th league title as long as they avoid defeat this weekend, with Lens surely needing to win to keep the race alive.

"If the Parisians win they will be nine