Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is expected to miss the club’s crucial UEFA Champions League clash against Chelsea after becoming stranded in Qatar due to ongoing travel disruptions caused by the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The PSG chief has reportedly been unable to secure a flight out of Doha for more than a week, raising doubts about his presence at the Parc des Princes for the Round of 16 fixture.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi stranded in Qatar amid travel disruptions
According to reports from The Associated Press, Nasser Al-Khelaifi remains stuck in Doha as the regional conflict continues to affect international air travel.
The situation worsened after United States and Israeli strikes on February 28, which led to widespread airspace restrictions across parts of the Middle East. Several commercial airlines have since suspended routes or altered flight paths, leaving thousands of travelers unable to reach their destinations.
Al-Khelaifi, one of the most influential figures in European football, has reportedly been trying to find a flight back to Paris but has so far been unsuccessful.
Champions League clash with Chelsea in focus
PSG are preparing to face Chelsea in the Champions League Round of 16, with the match scheduled to take place at the Parc des Princes.
As defending European champions, the Paris club face high expectations to deliver a strong performance against the Premier League side.
Sources close to the situation told AP that Nasser Al-Khelaifi has been attempting to secure a seat on flights departing Doha either late Tuesday or early Wednesday. However, limited availability and priority travel restrictions have made the situation increasingly difficult.
If he fails to leave Qatar in time, the PSG president will likely miss the high-profile European fixture.
Middle East conflict disrupting global travel
The travel chaos surrounding Nasser Al-Khelaifi reflects the wider impact of the escalating conflict across the region.
Iran’s retaliatory strikes in parts of the Gulf have disrupted aviation routes that normally serve as major global transit hubs connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Airlines have been forced to cancel or reroute flights, creating significant delays and leaving many passengers stranded across the Middle East.
While some flight corridors between the United Arab Emirates and Europe have begun to reopen, travel from Doha remains heavily affected.
PSG leadership forced to monitor situation remotely
With uncertainty surrounding his travel plans, Nasser Al-Khelaifi may be forced to follow PSG’s Champions League tie remotely if the disruption continues.
The club’s leadership and technical staff will remain focused on preparing the team for the Chelsea clash as PSG aim to continue their title defense in Europe.
For now, the priority for the PSG president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, is simply finding a route back to France as international travel conditions gradually begin to stabilize.
