Mbappe sues PSG for 'moral harassment'

 

Kylian Mbappe's legal fight with Paris Saint-Germain has taken a new turn. The French football star, now a Real Madrid player, has filed a formal complaint accusing PSG of moral harassment. According to French outlet RMC Sport, the complaint was officially submitted on May 16. A court in Paris has appointed two judges to investigate the matter, which now runs alongside his ongoing legal battle with PSG over unpaid wages.

Mbappe alleges that he was deliberately sidelined from the squad during the 2023 season after refusing to trigger a contract extension clause. Although PSG publicly claimed in 2022 that Mbappe had signed until 2025, the actual deal was for two years with an optional third year. PSG reportedly pressured him to activate the extension to avoid losing him on a free transfer, going so far as to exclude him from the team when he declined.

The player claims this treatment was not just punitive but legally and emotionally abusive. He has described PSG’s actions as both harassment and attempted extortion, creating a toxic environment aimed at forcing his compliance. Mbappe eventually left PSG and joined Real Madrid in 2024 on a free transfer, but the legal consequences of his treatment remain unresolved.

This lawsuit highlights a larger issue in French football, where similar tactics have allegedly been used against other players. Mbappe’s case could set a legal precedent and push clubs to rethink how they handle contract negotiations with players.

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Kylian Mbappe’s legal battle may be the highest-profile case yet, but it’s not an isolated one. His accusations of moral harassment and attempted extortion reflect what player advocates call a growing issue within French football. PSG, one of France’s top clubs, is now under the microscope not just for Mbappe’s case but for what seems to be a broader pattern.

In January 2024, the Professional Footballers' Union filed a formal complaint against several French clubs, accusing them of sidelining players to force them into signing contract extensions or accepting transfers. This controversial method, often called "contract pressure," essentially isolates players from training and matches until they agree to club demands.

Mbappe's case mirrors these concerns. He was benched for months in 2023 because he refused to activate an optional year in his contract. The club allegedly aimed to pressure him into a decision by excluding him from matchday squads and team activities. This isolation tactic, according to his legal team, amounted to psychological pressure and workplace abuse.

Kheira Hamraoui, a player in PSG’s women’s team, previously filed a similar lawsuit, claiming she was subjected to professional isolation due to off-field issues. Her case, along with others, adds weight to Mbappe’s claims and paints a concerning picture of how some clubs in France manage player relations.

As Mbappe waits for a resolution on both his moral harassment and financial claims, the football world watches closely. His case could lead to structural changes in player treatment and open the door for more athletes to speak out against abusive practices. If the courts side with him, it might not only cost PSG financially but also reshape contract dynamics in elite European football.