Kylian Mbappé Initiates Legal Action Against PSG for Unpaid Wages
French football star Kylian Mbappé is set to pursue legal action to recover €55 million he claims is owed to him in unpaid wages and bonuses by his former club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). This move follows a tumultuous transition from PSG to Real Madrid, where various disputes have arisen regarding his contract situation.
Background of the Dispute
The contention began after Mbappé declined to extend his contract with PSG, leading to his brief exclusion from the team in 2023. Following his declaration in February 2024 to leave the club, PSG is alleged to have refused payment to him from April to June of that year, coinciding with his eventual transfer to Real Madrid.
Legal Proceedings and Stance
Mbappé’s legal team, represented by attorneys Thomas Clay and Delphine Verheyden, has taken a firm stand against PSG, announcing the filing of both civil and criminal suits. Verheyden remarked, “It’s time to go on the attack,” emphasizing the importance of recognizing Mbappé’s contributions as the club’s highest scorer and captain of the French national team. In a recent court ruling, a Paris civil court has provisionally frozen €55 million of PSG’s assets in light of the ongoing legal dispute.
PSG’s Response
In response, PSG has dismissed Mbappé’s claims as a distortion of reality, suggesting that the narrative presented by the player exists in a “parallel universe of fanciful storytelling.” The club has emphasized its willingness to resolve the matter amicably and questioned why Mbappé has not pursued his claims through the Labour Court, which is typically the appropriate venue for such disputes.
Potential Consequences for PSG
Mbappé’s legal actions extend beyond domestic courts. His lawyers have also approached the French Football Federation, requesting that UEFA be informed of his unpaid wages, which could potentially threaten PSG’s eligibility for participation in the UEFA Champions League, though club insiders have downplayed this risk.
Future Actions
Additionally, Mbappé plans to file a criminal complaint regarding “moral harassment” against PSG, asserting that the club’s actions were tactics to pressure him into signing a new contract. He aims to substantiate these claims with evidence indicating that excluding him from games was intended to exert financial extortion.
Claims Against Social Media Platforms
In a separate legal venture, Mbappé’s lawyers have also indicated intentions to file criminal complaints against social media companies X and Meta for defamatory posts concerning both him and his mother stemming from this contractual dispute.
PSG’s Current Performance
Despite the ongoing legal battles, PSG continues to perform strongly in French football, recently securing victory in the domestic league and winning against English rivals Aston Villa in the Champions League quarter-finals.
This legal saga not only showcases the ongoing tensions between one of football’s brightest stars and his former club but also raises questions about contract practices and player rights within the realm of professional sports.