Kylian Mbappe rejects French league mediation proposal in PSG salary row
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Kylian Mbappe has rejected mediation over the €55 million (S$79 million) that he says is owed to him by his former club.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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PARIS – Kylian Mbappe’s entourage said on Sept 11 they had refused the French football league’s (LFP) offer to act as a mediator between the France captain and his former club Paris Saint-Germain, in their dispute over unpaid wages and bonuses for the forward.
The Real Madrid hitman, who joined the Spanish giants in June, claims PSG owe him €55 million (S$79 million) which the Parisian club say the 25-year-old had agreed to waive in August 2023.
Mbappe has demanded the sum, which includes a signing bonus he was expecting to receive in February, the three final months of his salary, as well as an “ethical bonus” covering the period.
Lawyers representing the two parties met early on Sept 11 after the player, who is PSG’s all-time top scorer, had referred his case to the LFP’s legal committee. The league then offered to mediate.
“The eventuality of a mediation was mentioned this morning,” Mbappe’s entourage told AFP in a statement.
“This possibility was rejected during the meeting by the player’s representative. A mediation would be useless to establish a lack of payment that can be seen from a simple analysis of the player’s payslip.”
The LFP then said that it would notify Mbappe and PSG of its decision in the case on Sept 13.
Earlier in the day, PSG had welcomed the proposition.
“Paris Saint-Germain is very pleased with today’s two-hour hearing before the commission,” the club said.
“The club recalled that the player has made clear repeated public and private commitments that must be respected, having been afforded unprecedented benefits by the club over seven fantastic years in Paris.
“In the light of the club’s oral and documented arguments, the commission insisted on mediation between the parties, which Paris Saint-Germain has been seeking for many months.”
Moving on from PSG, Mbappe has gradually warmed up to life in Madrid.
He has now scored three goals in five competitive matches for the La Liga and European champions after joining them on a free transfer and signing a five-year contract.
Things are slightly different on the international level, however.
France coach Didier Deschamps said he has no concerns about Mbappe’s form, and expects the forward to rediscover his scoring touch when he reaches full fitness as the season progresses.
After Les Bleus opened their Nations League campaign with a 3-1 defeat by Italy in Paris, Deschamps fielded a much-changed team against Belgium on Sept 9, with Mbappe starting on the bench in their 2-0 win.
Mbappe struggled at Euro 2024 after breaking his nose against Austria and scored just one goal in five games as France lost to eventual winners Spain in the semi-finals.
“The French team will always be stronger with him and I’m convinced that in a month he will be better. There are very high demands at his club. I have no worries with Kylian,” Deschamps said.
Mbappe was brought on in the 67th minute against Belgium and looked bright as he tried to add his name to the scoresheet, missing narrowly from a tight angle 10 minutes from time and having an effort saved in the 86th minute. AFP, REUTERS
