Claude Makelele Under French Tax Investigation Over Investments in Servette FC
Claude Makelele, the former French international and current assistant manager at Paris Saint-Germain, is facing a request for administrative assistance from French tax authorities. The inquiry likely pertains to his financial involvement with Swiss football club Servette FC, according to official reports from Switzerland’s Feuille fédérale, a government publication.
As part of international tax cooperation, the French authorities have asked Makelele to designate a representative in Switzerland. This would allow Swiss officials to send notifications or provide an address for any necessary correspondence. The request, outlined in the document published on the Swiss government website, aims to prevent issues related to “double taxation” or “tax fraud.”
The investigation is believed to be connected to Makelele’s financial involvement with Servette FC back in 2004, when the former footballer became a shareholder in the club. The Geneva-based team went bankrupt shortly after, and Makelele’s role in the affair has come under scrutiny. Swiss newspaper Tribune de Genève has suggested that the inquiry is linked to his investment in the club during that period, although the exact details remain unclear.
Swiss authorities are currently awaiting Makelele’s response before deciding whether to share information with their French counterparts. At this stage, there is no indication that the matter will escalate to a Swiss administrative court, but it remains a possibility.
Makelele’s involvement in Servette FC dates back to 2004, when he was brought into the club by its then-president, Marc Roger, who was also Makelele’s agent. At the time, Makelele’s stake in the club was reported to be between 5% and 10%. Following the bankruptcy, Marc Roger, who was convicted for mismanagement and forgery, was sentenced to a two-year suspended prison term.
For now, the situation remains under investigation, with both Swiss and French authorities coordinating their efforts to ensure compliance with international tax regulations.
