Kylian Mbappé and Paris Saint-Germain’s Legal Battle Over Unpaid Salaries and Bonuses
The legal standoff between Kylian Mbappé and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) continues to escalate, with the French Football Federation’s (FFF) Higher Appeal Commission dismissing the player’s appeal for unpaid salaries and bonuses.
Background of the Dispute:
The conflict stems from an agreement reached in August 2023 between Mbappé and the club. At the time, the striker was sidelined for refusing to extend his contract, which was set to expire in June 2024, allowing PSG to secure a transfer fee.
Under the agreement, Mbappé agreed to forfeit €55 million in various bonuses if he left the club on a free transfer at the end of the season, which occurred when he joined Real Madrid. However, the validity of this compromise is disputed by Mbappé’s team.
FFF’s Decision:
The FFF’s Higher Appeal Commission has now ruled the player’s appeal inadmissible, upholding the Professional Football League’s (LFP) Disciplinary Commission’s decision of December 11th, which had also deemed the player’s claim inadmissible. The FFF’s reason for this decision is the ongoing legal proceedings initiated by PSG against the LFP in the Paris Judicial Court.
PSG’s Position:
In December, PSG responded to Mbappé’s claims, stating: "Legally and factually, the player made clear and repeated public and private commitments that the club is simply asking him to honour and respect in light of the unprecedented benefits he has enjoyed from the club for seven years."
PSG expressed hope for an "amicable solution," believing that the dispute should be resolved in competent jurisdictions such as the labour court.
Mbappé’s Counsel’s Response:
Mbappé’s lawyer, Delphine Verheyden, expressed disappointment over the FFF’s decision, stating: "The LFP and the FFF, as bodies responsible for enforcing the regulations, have the necessary means to intervene when clubs fail to comply with their obligations."
She questioned the recourse available to players whose rights are violated, saying: "Beyond the case of Kylian Mbappé, this case highlights a worrying flaw: what recourse is there for a player whose rights are not respected?"
Financial Implications:
Verheyden emphasized the significant financial implications of the unpaid amount, which she estimated at €55 million. She noted that €30 million of that sum is unpaid taxes owed to the French government, and that PSG would incur €45 million in additional employer social charges.
She asserted that the total cost to PSG would exceed €100 million, of which only 25% would go to Mbappé, while the remaining 75% would benefit the public purse.
Conclusion:
The ongoing legal dispute between Kylian Mbappé and Paris Saint-Germain remains unresolved. The FFF’s Higher Appeal Commission’s decision has effectively blocked Mbappé’s pursuit of financial restitution through the football governing bodies. The case is now likely to proceed through the judicial system, with PSG maintaining its stance that the matter should be handled in competent courts.
