Mbappé accuses PSG of harassment, demands 55 million euros in lawsuit Por Carolina Costa
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Kylian Mbappé, star of Real Madrid, filed a lawsuit against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on May 16, 2025, accusing the club of moral harassment and attempted extortion during contract negotiations in 2023. The complaint, lodged with the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office, triggered a formal investigation led by two examining magistrates. The player alleges he was isolated in the so-called “loft” at PSG, a practice used to pressure athletes into renewing contracts, after refusing to extend his deal. Additionally, Mbappé is demanding 55 million euros in unpaid salaries and bonuses, escalating the conflict with the French club. The case, which has gained global attention, raises questions about labor practices in European football and could affect PSG’s participation in competitions like the Champions League.
The dispute between the forward and his former club is not new. Since his departure from PSG in 2024, when he transferred to Real Madrid on a free, financial and contractual tensions have dominated the relationship. The current case, however, heightens the tone of the accusations, with Mbappé pointing to abusive practices that allegedly caused psychological and financial harm.
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The player’s main allegations include:
- Deliberate isolation from the main squad in 2023, known as “lofting.”
- Pressure to sign a new contract under threat of exclusion.
- Withholding of 55 million euros in owed payments.
- Attempted extortion linked to contract negotiations.
The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the investigation’s opening on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, after the complaint was made public by outlets like AFP and L’Équipe. The case is now under review by the Brigade for the Repression of Crimes Against Persons (BRDP), which is gathering evidence and statements.
Lofting practice at the heart of the accusations
Mbappé’s complaint sheds light on a controversial football practice: “lofting.” This strategy involves sidelining players from the main squad, isolating them in separate training sessions or excluding them from matches, to force contractual decisions. In the forward’s case, PSG allegedly placed him in the “loft” during the European summer of 2023, after he announced he would not renew his contract, allowing his free exit at the end of the deal.
The player describes the experience as intense psychological pressure. He was reintegrated into the main squad only after negotiations but claims the isolation period left lasting effects. The practice, though common in some clubs, faces growing criticism. In January 2024, the National Union of Professional Football Players in France (UNFP) labeled “lofting” as illegal and abusive, reporting about 50 similar cases in French clubs.
The controversy is not unique to PSG. Other athletes, like player Kheira Hamraoui, have also accused the club of similar practices. Hamraoui, who suffered an assault in 2021 and now plays for Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia, claims she was isolated after her recovery to force her departure.
High-stakes financial dispute
Beyond the harassment allegations, Mbappé demands payment of 55 million euros, equivalent to about 358 million reais at the current exchange rate. This amount covers the last three months of salaries and a signing bonus from the 2022 contract. PSG, in turn, argues that the player breached a verbal agreement made in August 2023 with president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, in which Mbappé allegedly agreed to “waive” this sum.
The financial battle had already escalated in 2024, when the player notified PSG demanding 100 million euros, including other pending amounts. In October 2024, French courts ordered the club to pay 55 million euros, but the payment remains contested. Mbappé’s representatives now seek UEFA’s involvement, requesting that PSG be barred from the next Champions League until the debts are settled.
The litigation has also taken on administrative dimensions. The player’s legal team argues that the club’s default violates UEFA’s financial criteria, potentially jeopardizing its license for European competitions. So far, PSG has not issued an official statement on the latest accusations.
Fan and media reactions
Mbappé’s complaint sparked significant uproar on social media, especially among French fans. Profiles linked to PSG, such as Le Meilleur du PSG, mocked the player, suggesting he has “more lawsuits against the club than titles with Real Madrid.” Another fan, identified as YaseenPvris, repeatedly posted “Mbappé is not a PSG legend,” reflecting the divided opinions on the forward’s legacy at the club where he played for seven years.
The French media also gave extensive coverage to the case. Newspapers like L’Équipe and Le Monde highlighted the severity of the accusations, while AFP confirmed the investigation’s opening. International media, including Brazilian outlets like CNN Brasil and Jovem Pan, reported on the conflict, noting its potential implications for European football.
History of tensions with PSG
Mbappé’s relationship with PSG has always been marked by ups and downs. In 2022, he renewed his contract with the club in a historic deal, estimated at 630 million euros over three years, the largest in football history at the time. The renewal, announced with Mbappé displaying a jersey with the number 2025, was celebrated as a PSG victory over Real Madrid, which also vied for the player.
However, the contract included an optional one-year extension clause, which Mbappé chose not to activate, paving the way for his free exit in 2024. The decision angered PSG’s board, which expected financial compensation for his transfer. Since then, negotiations between the parties soured, culminating in the current legal disputes.
During his time at the club, Mbappé won six French Championship titles and became PSG’s all-time top scorer, with 256 goals in 308 matches. Despite his achievements, his contentious departure and recent accusations divide fans regarding his impact on the club.
Other similar cases in football
Mbappé’s complaint is not an isolated case. “Lofting” has been criticized by unions and players across Europe. The UNFP, for instance, launched an investigation in 2024 against several French clubs, accusing them of abusive practices to maximize transfer values. The organization noted that player isolation can cause severe psychological harm and violate labor laws.
At PSG, Kheira Hamraoui’s case reinforces Mbappé’s accusations. The player, who suffered a violent assault in 2021, claims the club deliberately excluded her after her recovery to force her exit. Hamraoui’s complaint is also under BRDP investigation, suggesting a pattern of behavior at the club.
Other European clubs face similar accusations. In 2023, Chelsea, in England, was criticized for isolating players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during transfer negotiations. The practice, while effective for clubs, is increasingly challenged in courts and public opinion.
Implications for PSG
Mbappé’s lawsuit puts PSG in a delicate position. Beyond the risk of financial penalties, the club faces scrutiny over its athlete management. The judicial investigation may reveal compromising details about the team’s internal practices, particularly under Nasser Al-Khelaïfi’s leadership.
The request for UEFA to block PSG’s Champions League participation adds further pressure. The club, already struggling in the 2025 competition’s group stage, could face a significant setback if its license is denied. The board, however, remains silent on the case while preparing for the Club World Cup in the United States.
UEFA and French justice’s role
UEFA has not yet commented on Mbappé’s request to suspend PSG’s license. The body requires clubs to meet strict financial criteria, including salary and bonus payments. If the default is confirmed, PSG could face sanctions, though experts consider a full Champions League exclusion unlikely.
In French courts, the case is in its early stages. The two appointed examining magistrates are tasked with gathering evidence, hearing witnesses, and reviewing contractual documents. The investigation may take months, but the severity of the accusations ensures high visibility.
Reactions in the football world
The Mbappé case has reignited debates about players’ rights in professional football. Unions like the UNFP advocate for reforms in sports labor regulations, demanding greater transparency in contract negotiations. Fifpro, the global players’ union, also expressed support for the investigation, emphasizing the need to protect athletes from abusive practices.
Meanwhile, Mbappé remains focused on his career at Real Madrid. The player is in the United States, competing in the Club World Cup, where the Spanish club faced RB Salzburg on June 26, 2025. Despite the controversies, the forward maintains his status as one of football’s biggest names, with 50 goals for the French national team and a storied career.
What’s at stake in the case
The lawsuit’s outcome could have far-reaching consequences. For Mbappé, a judicial victory would secure not only the 55 million euros but also set a precedent against practices like “lofting.” For PSG, a conviction could tarnish its reputation and bring sporting sanctions.
Key points in dispute include:
- Payment of 55 million euros in salaries and bonuses.
- Validation of moral harassment and extortion allegations.
- Potential suspension of PSG’s Champions League license.
- Impact on contractual practices at other European clubs.
The investigation, conducted rigorously by French authorities, promises to clarify the conflict’s details and shape the future of player-club relations in modern football.
