French Football Federation Dismisses Mbappé’s Appeal
The French Football Federation’s (FFF) Higher Appeals Commission has deemed Kylian Mbappé’s appeal against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) inadmissible, as reported by AFP citing an "unnamed source close to the matter."
Background of the Dispute
Mbappé, the captain of the French national team, had filed an appeal demanding over €55 million in unpaid wages and bonuses from PSG, his former club. PSG acknowledged withholding the sum but claimed they were within their rights due to an agreement reached between the parties. However, this agreement lacked any formal amendment.
On December 11, 2023, PSG stated that Mbappé had "made clear and repeated commitments both publicly and privately that the club simply asks him to honor… This is fundamentally a matter of good faith, honesty, maintaining values, and respecting the Parisian institution and its supporters, which is more important than any player." The club expressed hope for an amicable solution but emphasized the player’s "repeated bad faith."
Legal Proceedings and Decisions
Following PSG’s initial refusal to pay, Mbappé’s lawyer, Delphine Verheyden, argued that "labor law should be applied." The League of Professional Football’s (LFP) Disciplinary Commission declared itself incompetent on December 11, stating that PSG had initiated legal proceedings against the LFP in a separate matter.
The FFF’s decision aligns with that of the LFP Disciplinary Commission. A source close to Mbappé expressed incomprehension, stating that the reasoning "prevents Kylian Mbappé from obtaining justice despite several favorable decisions in his favor."
Contested Contract Modification
The crux of the dispute revolves around the modification of Mbappé’s contract, which PSG claims was mutually agreed upon in August 2023 for the 2023-24 season. The club asserts that the player confirmed this amendment multiple times, including in January 2024, before reneging on his commitments once the season concluded.
However, Mbappé’s camp disputes this version of events. The LFP’s Legal Commission (September 11) and the Joint Appeals Commission (October 25) ruled twice in Mbappé’s favor, directing PSG to pay the disputed amount.
PSG has indicated its willingness to present its case before the appropriate court. The club maintains that neither the LFP nor the FFF has jurisdiction over this matter, which will ultimately be decided by the Employment Tribunal.
