French football star Kylian Mbappé is at the center of a financial investigation after prosecutors opened a probe into potentially fraudulent payments made to police officers assigned to the French national team.
The inquiry, confirmed by the Paris public prosecutor’s office on Thursday, follows a tip-off from France’s financial intelligence unit, Tracfin, which flagged a series of “unusual financial transactions” benefiting five police officers who served as part of the football squad’s security detail.
“Given the complexity of financial operations involved, investigations are ongoing to determine whether any criminal offenses have been committed,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement to AFP.
According to Le Canard Enchaîné, the investigative weekly that first broke the story, the transactions allegedly total around €180,300 ($209,000) and may have involved “under-the-table payments” for private services rendered by the officers — outside official protocols.
Mbappé’s camp swiftly responded to the allegations, stating that the payments were lawful, transparent, and part of his long-standing charitable giving practices.
“Everything was done in full compliance with the rules,” his entourage said in a statement, emphasizing that the Real Madrid forward donates his France match bonuses — including from the 2022 FIFA World Cup — to charities and individuals, including security staff who accompany the national squad.
The statement underlined that the donations were made with “complete transparency” and in line with Mbappé’s tradition of foregoing personal gain for national duty.
The 25-year-old, is widely regarded as one of the sport’s most marketable and influential athletes. His transfer to Real Madrid this summer and his high-profile role as captain of France have only heightened public scrutiny of his off-field activities.
While the probe does not accuse the footballer of direct misconduct, it raises questions about the financial oversight and contractual arrangements surrounding national team security protocols.
French media outlets note that payments from public figures to on-duty officers — even as bonuses or tokens of appreciation — could potentially violate public service ethics or tax regulations.
If wrongdoing is found, the officers involved could face disciplinary or legal action, though any direct legal exposure for Mbappé remains speculative at this stage.
The investigation remains in early stages, and legal experts suggest it could take months to resolve, given the complexity of financial transactions, donor intent, and the semi-official nature of security assignments tied to national representation.
As France continues its UEFA Euro 2024 campaign, the football federation and the Ministry of Interior have yet to issue official statements.
