Mbappé vs. PSG: A Major Financial Conflict
The legal dispute between Paris Saint-Germain and Kylian Mbappé has escalated, with both parties filing significant financial claims. The star striker and his former club disagree on allegedly unpaid salaries, a conflict that was examined by a labor court. Mbappé, who did not attend the hearing, initially claims 55 million euros. Now, the player demands more than 260 million euros from the club, arguing that PSG owes him that amount because his fixed-term contract should be reclassified as permanent. This reclassification would trigger compensation for unfair dismissal, unpaid salaries, bonuses, and severance pay. Additionally, Mbappé alleges damages for moral harassment, undeclared work, and PSG’s breach of its duty of good faith and security towards him. The player’s advisors emphasized that Mbappé is only seeking the application of his legal rights, like any employee.For its part, PSG is claiming a total of 440 million euros from the forward, including 180 million euros for a “loss of opportunity” to complete his transfer, given that he left as a free agent after rejecting an offer of 300 million euros from the Saudi club Al Hilal in July 2023. PSG also demands compensation for bad faith breaches in negotiations and contract performance, as well as for damage to reputation and image. A court decision is expected next month. The PSG argued that, when Mbappé was sidelined before the 2023-24 season, following his decision not to extend his contract, there was a verbal agreement with the player to forgo bonuses and thus be able to return to the team. The club presented evidence that the player acted disloyally by concealing for almost 11 months, between July 2022 and June 2023, his decision not to extend his contract, depriving the club of any possibility of organizing a transfer. Subsequently, the player challenged an agreement concluded with the club in August 2023, which provided for a salary reduction if he decided to leave as a free agent, in order to preserve the club’s financial stability. Mbappé’s team responded that PSG never presented proof of an agreement to waive these payments. By accusing PSG of moral harassment, Mbappé denounced the “lofting” to which, according to him, he was subjected at the club. The term “lofting” is used in France to describe a practice that involves isolating a player from the first team for sporting, administrative, or disciplinary reasons. Mbappé, in fact, was not happy with the treatment he received from the Ligue 1 club when he was sidelined before the 2023-24 season, following his decision not to extend his contract with the club.Kylian Mbappé is not asking for anything beyond what the law provides; he is simply seeking the fulfillment of his legal rights, like any employee.
Mbappé’s advisors
