neither Kylian Mbappe Even at his previous club paris saint germain They are ready to back out because the legal dispute has reached a new climax and huge amounts of money are at stake.
Lawyers from both sides argued at Paris’ Industrial Court on Monday, with each side demanding hundreds of millions of euros from the other as they sought to settle the expiration of the player’s contract, which will move him to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024.
Amid accusations of bullying, betrayal and harassment over the breakup of their relationship, here’s what you need to know about the $800 million affair.
causes of conflict
once love storythe relationship between 2018 World Cup Winner And the reigning European champions were left bitter when Mbappé decided in 2023 not to extend his contract, which expires in the summer of 2024.
PSG claim this deprived the club of a high transfer fee, despite offering him the most lucrative contract in the club’s history at the time of his signing. New contract in 2022. he was sidelined He was removed from the pre-season tour and forced to train with fringe players. He missed the opening game of the league, but returned to the squad for the final season after discussions with the club. This negotiation is currently at the center of controversy.
PSG feel betrayed
The club have accused Mbappé of backing out of his August 2023 contract, which reportedly included a pay cut should he leave on a free transfer, with PSG claiming the deal was meant to protect their financial stability.
PSG claim that Mbappé concealed his decision not to extend his contract for around 11 months, from July 2022 to June 2023, leaving the club unable to arrange a transfer and causing significant financial damage. He is accused of breaching contractual obligations and the principles of honesty and loyalty.
Mbappé feels cheated and wants money
Mbappe’s camp insists PSG have never provided evidence that the striker had agreed to waive the payment. His lawyers claim the club has not paid him wages and bonuses for April, May and June 2024. They also want his fixed-term contract to be reclassified as a permanent contract in order to claim compensation. Mbappe also accused PSG of moral harassment, citing his treatment when he was sidelined. His total claim, which includes unpaid salaries, contractual bonuses, severance pay, compensation and damages for workplace misconduct, now exceeds €260 million.
PSG wants further growth
The club denies all accusations of harassment, stressing that Mbappé appeared in more than 94% of the games in the 2023-24 season and always worked under conditions compliant with the Professional Football Charter.
PSG are seeking damages totaling 440 million euros, including 180 million euros for lost opportunities to complete the transfer since Mbappe rejected his contract and left as a free agent. 300 million euro offer Transferred from Saudi club Al Hilal in July 2023.
Mbappe scored a club-record 256 goals in seven years with PSG before joining Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer of 2024, but the club won the Champions League without him this year.
The club is seeking a further 180 million euros in damages for damages caused by dishonesty during contract negotiations. PSG is also claiming €60 million for breaches of integrity and proper performance of the contract. PSG is also seeking 20 million euros in reputational and image damage.
What’s next?
The judgment by the court (Paris Business Administration) is expected to be handed down on December 16th.
The ruling could have implications for player contracts and labor laws in French football, but PSG insisted there was no legal basis for its request to reclassify Mbappé’s contract as a permanent contract.
“The professional player’s contract is a specific fixed-term contract, in accordance with French and European law, governed by the Sporting Code and approved by the French professional league,” the club said.
Mr Mbappe’s advisers disagreed, saying: “Reclassification of a fixed-term contract (CDD) to an open-ended contract is standard procedure under labor law when the legal conditions for a CDD are not met.”
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