December 23 – The close of 2025 could eventually see end of one of football’s longest running corruption cases with Switzerland’s supreme court upholding the acquittal of Paris Saint-Germain and European Club Football (EFC) and beIN Sports president Nasser al-Khelaïfi.

It is the third time Al-Khelaïfi – perhaps the busiest man in world football – has been acquitted of charges linked to former FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke and the awarding of World Cup television rights for 2026 and 2030.

Prosecutors had tried to link free use of a home in Sardinia by Valcke, bought by a Qatari company in 2013, to Al-Khelaïfi-led broadcaster beIN Media Group and its $480 million World Cup rights deal with FIFA.

Swiss federal courts at criminal, appeals and supreme level have now ruled there was no wrongdoing. Valcke was also acquitted for a third time on charges of criminal mismanagement harming FIFA (ultimately the deal for the broadcast rights negotiated by Valcke was considerably above market rights for previous World Cup deals in the region). Prosecutors had sought a 35-month prison term.

“From the outset, this has manifestly been a ‘trophy-hunting’ prosecution by the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland — but today, that pursuit is over,” said Al-Khelaïfi’s legal team in a statement.

“It is a complete vindication. This brings to an end over eight years of proceedings and unfounded allegations that have caused serious and unwarranted damage to our client’s reputation.”

Valcke’s legal team similarly emphasised that their client had done nothing criminal. “The Swiss Federal Supreme Court once again confirms that Jérôme Valcke did not cause any damage to FIFA and that his behavior had no negative influence on the very profitable price of the disputed contracts,” said a statement.

However, in a separate case, Valcke and Greek businessman Dinos Deris’ convictions for bribery and forgery in relation to World Cup media rights in Italy and Greece was upheld. Valcke was found guilty of accepting a €1.25 million bribe.

The supreme court upheld the suspended sentences for Valcke and Deris of 11 and 10 months, respectively.

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