Football: Mbappé drops criminal complaint against PSG
3 min read
Kylian Mbappé warms up with Real Madrid as tensions with former club PSG cool following the withdrawal of his harassment complaint.
Mbappé Drops Harassment Complaint Against PSG in Surprise Move
In a move that has surprised many in the football world, Kylian Mbappé, the former star forward of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), has formally withdrawn a criminal complaint he filed against his former club earlier this year. The complaint, originally filed in May 2025, accused PSG of moral harassment over the club’s handling of his final season in Paris.
A Bitter Split
The complaint was rooted in a series of events that took place at the start of the 2023/2024 football season, when tensions between Mbappé and PSG reached a boiling point. The club had reportedly excluded the French striker from team training and key club activities, allegedly in response to his refusal to extend his contract. This led Mbappé to allege that he was being subjected to psychological pressure and isolation—a tactic he claimed was aimed at coercing him into signing a new deal.
Despite the early-season drama, Mbappé returned to the squad midway through the campaign and helped the team secure domestic honors. However, the relationship between player and club remained strained. In June 2024, Mbappé confirmed what many had suspected for months: he was leaving Paris. Shortly after, he signed with Real Madrid, ending a seven-year tenure with the Ligue 1 champions.
A Financial Battle
Upon his departure, Mbappé reportedly demanded €55 million in unpaid bonuses and salary from PSG, citing his final contractual entitlements. The French club, however, refused to release the funds, stating that their actions had been in line with club policies and contract negotiations. This financial standoff further fueled speculation that legal proceedings might escalate beyond harassment claims.
The complaint Mbappé lodged in May accused PSG of violating his rights as a professional athlete by using internal disciplinary measures as a form of pressure. Sources close to the player’s legal team claimed that he had been “isolated, degraded, and disrespected” as punishment for exercising his contractual autonomy.
However, as of this week, the case has been dropped. Mbappé’s legal team submitted a formal notice to end the criminal proceedings, a decision that marks a dramatic turn in what was one of football’s most public contractual disputes.
Why the Withdrawal?
Though no official reason has been given for Mbappé’s decision to pull the case, analysts say the timing is telling. The 26-year-old is currently focused on his first season with Real Madrid, where he’s expected to play a crucial role in their domestic and European campaigns. With UEFA Champions League qualifiers, La Liga fixtures, and France national team duties ahead, the legal distraction may have become too costly for the forward, both mentally and professionally.
Moreover, legal experts believe that withdrawing the complaint might also help in smoothing relations between Mbappé and key figures in French football, especially as he remains a cornerstone of France’s national squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations.
A Lesson in Modern Football Power Struggles
This incident has become symbolic of the increasingly complicated power dynamics between elite players and their clubs. While clubs seek to secure long-term investments, players with global stature like Mbappé are asserting more control over their careers than ever before.
The PSG-Mbappé fallout is also a case study in how far both parties are willing to go to protect financial and personal interests. The episode highlights the legal gray zones in contract management, particularly where image rights, loyalty bonuses, and personal freedom intersect.
Now that Mbappé is moving on, fans and experts alike are hopeful the Real Madrid chapter of his career will be less turbulent and more focused on football excellence.
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