Al-Khelaifi's insults to Textor revealed: 'You're a cowboy. You understand nothing'

Al-Khelaifi, PSG's president, and John Textor, president of Lyon and Brazil's Botafogo, reportedly engaged in a heated phone argument in July 2024, a conversation that has now been revealed by the French newspaper L’Équipe.

The dispute, centered around the television rights of Ligue 1, quickly spiraled into a tense verbal altercation, exposing growing divisions within the leadership of French football. The rivalry between Al-Khelaifi and Textor has been well-documented, with the American businessman often criticizing the dominance of PSG in Ligue 1 and the lack of financial parity between clubs, while Al-Khelaifi has frequently dismissed Textor's concerns as uninformed and disruptive.

According to the same source, the confrontation took place when the two club presidents were discussing the broadcasting contracts for France’s top-tier football league. Ligue 1 has faced significant financial challenges in recent years following the collapse of the media rights deal with Mediapro, and securing a lucrative long-term contract has been a major priority for French football authorities. However, disagreements between club owners have created obstacles in the negotiation process, with some clubs advocating for an international expansion strategy while others, including PSG, push for a more exclusive, high-value deal with a select group of partners.

The newspaper, which claims to have obtained an audio recording of the argument, reported that Al-Khelaifi directly insulted Textor, calling him a "cowboy" who has no understanding of football-related matters. "John, shut up. You don’t understand anything. You're a cowboy who came from who knows where to talk to us," Al-Khelaifi allegedly shouted. His words reflected the growing frustration among some Ligue 1 executives, who view Textor as an outsider who has been overly vocal about issues within French football despite his relatively short tenure in the league.

Jean-Pierre Caillot, president of Stade de Reims and a respected figure within Ligue 1’s leadership, attempted to calm the situation, but his efforts were unsuccessful. Tensions continued to rise, and Textor, refusing to back down, fired back at Al-Khelaifi, calling him a "tyrant" and accusing him of monopolizing decision-making processes. Textor has been outspoken about what he sees as imbalances in Ligue 1, particularly PSG’s overwhelming financial advantage compared to other clubs, which he argues has harmed the league’s overall competitiveness.

"John, John, John… shut up. You don’t understand anything. I’m leaving this meeting because he is really making me furious. I’m wasting my time. I’m going to leave this meeting, he doesn’t understand anything," Al-Khelaifi reportedly continued. His anger at Textor’s persistence was evident, and his threat to leave the negotiations underscored just how fractured relations have become between the PSG president and other Ligue 1 club owners.

L’Équipe further reported that this was not the first time Al-Khelaifi has clashed with fellow executives. The PSG president has developed a reputation for his confrontational approach, particularly when defending the interests of Qatar-backed PSG in discussions about the financial structure of Ligue 1. In previous instances, he has been accused of shutting down opposing viewpoints, particularly from clubs that have voiced concerns about PSG’s commercial influence and financial superiority.

One notable conflict occurred between Al-Khelaifi and Joseph Oughourlian, president of RC Lens, who had publicly questioned whether Al-Khelaifi’s dual role as PSG president and head of beIN Media Group constituted a conflict of interest in media rights negotiations. BeIN Media Group is one of the largest sports broadcasters in the world and has had a significant role in shaping television deals in multiple football leagues, including Ligue 1. Oughourlian reportedly confronted Al-Khelaifi on the matter, suggesting that his influence in both broadcasting and club management could compromise fair negotiations for other teams in the league.

"You are smart and a businessman, but you don’t understand anything about media," Al-Khelaifi reportedly shot back at Oughourlian. His dismissive tone echoed his exchanges with Textor, reinforcing the perception that Al-Khelaifi sees himself as the primary authority in Ligue 1’s commercial dealings.

The revelation of the heated discussion between Al-Khelaifi and Textor comes at a time of uncertainty for Ligue 1, as French football officials continue to struggle with securing a stable and lucrative broadcasting deal that would provide financial security for all clubs. With tensions between club presidents running high, the power dynamics within Ligue 1 are once again under scrutiny, with many questioning whether the league can unite behind a common vision or if the dominance of PSG will continue to drive a wedge between teams.

Textor, who has consistently positioned himself as an advocate for greater financial equality in French football, is unlikely to back down from his criticisms. His multi-club ownership model, which includes Lyon, Botafogo, Crystal Palace, and RWD Molenbeek, has also made him a controversial figure, with some Ligue 1 executives skeptical of his long-term commitment to the league. However, his willingness to challenge Al-Khelaifi directly suggests that he intends to play an active role in shaping Ligue 1’s future, even if it means clashing with the league’s most powerful figure.

For now, the leaked details of the argument only add to the growing divisions within Ligue 1 leadership, raising questions about whether the league can successfully navigate its financial challenges while balancing the interests of clubs with vastly different resources and ambitions.