French prosecutors have opened a fraud investigation into payments made by football star Kylian Mbappé to five police officers assigned to the national team’s security detail, following a tip-off from the finance ministry’s anti-money laundering unit.
The probe, confirmed Thursday by the public prosecutor’s office, centers on “unusual financial transactions” flagged by Tracfin, a unit tasked with monitoring suspicious financial activity. The payments, reportedly amounting to €180,300 (approximately $209,000), are suspected to have been made “under the table” for private security services, according to French investigative publication Le Canard Enchaîné.
“These investigations, which are complex by nature given the financial aspects involved, are ongoing to determine whether any criminal offences were committed,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement to AFP.
Mbappé’s representatives denied any wrongdoing, stating that all payments were made in accordance with regulations. The Real Madrid forward’s entourage emphasized that Mbappé has consistently donated his bonuses from playing for France to charitable causes and to support personnel, including security staff.
“It’s what he did after the 2022 World Cup, with complete transparency,” the statement read.
The case remains under investigation as authorities seek to establish the legality of the payments and whether any rules governing public security or financial conduct were breached.
Written By Rodney Mbua
