Kylian Mbappé, the former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star now dazzling in Real Madrid colors, has initiated legal proceedings against his former club over a significant sum of unpaid wages and bonuses.
The French national team captain, who recently helped Real Madrid secure a 2-0 victory against Atalanta Bergamo in the European Supercup, is seeking nearly €55 million gross that he claims is owed to him by PSG.
The unpaid amount reportedly includes the final installment of a signing bonus worth €36 million gross, which was due in February, as well as his wages for the final three months of his contract—April, May, and June.
Additionally, an “ethical bonus” for these three months is also part of the contested sum. Despite multiple attempts to recover the money, Mbappé’s efforts have so far been unsuccessful, leading him to take more serious legal action.
In mid-June, Mbappé’s advisors sent a formal notice to PSG, demanding the payment of the outstanding sums. However, the lack of a satisfactory response from the Parisian club has prompted the 25-year-old forward to escalate the matter.
On August 8, Mbappé reported the issue to the legal committee of the French Professional Football League (LFP), citing article 259 of the professional football charter. This article mandates that clubs must pay players’ wages by the last day of each month, as per ordinary law.
The LFP’s legal committee, which holds disciplinary powers, has the authority to take action against clubs that fail to fulfill their financial obligations.
Should the committee find PSG at fault for not paying the due sums, the club could face sanctions, including a ban on recruiting new players until the financial dispute is resolved.
Mbappé’s legal team has also extended the case to the international level. On August 13, his lawyers sent a letter to the French Football Federation (FFF), requesting that UEFA, Europe’s football governing body, be informed of the situation.
The letter was directed to the manager of the FFF’s UEFA Club licensing commission, which is responsible for ensuring that clubs participating in European competitions like the Champions League meet financial criteria, including the timely payment of wages.
The timing of this dispute adds another layer of complexity to PSG’s operations, especially as the club is preparing for the new season and navigating the transfer market. Mbappé’s move to Real Madrid marked the end of a seven-year tenure at PSG, where he became one of the world’s most sought-after football talents.
Despite his departure, the unresolved financial matter with PSG looms large, threatening to overshadow his new chapter at Real Madrid. The legal wrangling between one of football’s brightest stars and his former club is likely to attract significant attention, with potential repercussions for PSG both on and off the field.
As Mbappé continues to shine in Spain, the outcome of his legal challenge against PSG could set a precedent in the often murky financial dealings of professional football, where player contracts and payments are frequently a source of contention.
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