Mbappé's lawyer calls the case a “media lynching” and announces lawsuits

Kylian Mbappé, 25, a player for Real Madrid and the French national team, has been implicated in an alleged case of “rape and sexual assault” of a women, according to Swedish media. The incident reportedly occurred during his stay in Stockholm on the night of October 10. However, both Mbappé and his team deny the accusations.

“We have heard that a complaint has been filed, but we don’t even know against whom at this stage. A complaint doesn’t prove anything. And again, I don’t know if the complaint is against him. At no time was he alone in Stockholm at night or in any situation that could expose him. This completely rules out the possibility that he did anything wrong,” Mbappé's lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard, told TF1.

She also announced plans to file a libel suit against those who have defamed him, describing the case as “media lynching” and asserting that Mbappé is “completely calm because he has nothing to reproach himself for.”

Swedish media outlets, including Aftonbladet, Expressen, and SVT, were the first to report on Mbappé's alleged involvement. According to their reports, the Real Madrid player is being investigated for the sexual assault of a woman on the night of Thursday, October 10, during his time in Stockholm. On Tuesday, the Swedish Prosecutor’s Office confirmed an investigation had been opened for alleged rape, but did not specify if Mbappé was the subject of the inquiry. “A crime has been reported, and I am leading the investigation. The assault allegedly occurred on October 10 in central Stockholm,” said prosecutor Marina Chirakova, though she did not provide further details.

Mbappé spent two days in Stockholm after his club, Real Madrid, granted players a short break during the international window. He was seen in the city during the Israel vs. France Nations League match, which stirred controversy back in France, as Mbappé had agreed with national team coach Didier Deschamps to skip the call-up. He traveled with friends, including former PSG teammate Nordi Mukiele, currently on loan at Bayer Leverkusen. They visited the Chez Jolie restaurant, V de Stureplan nightclub, and stayed at the Bank Hotel, where the alleged assault is said to have taken place. Mbappé left Stockholm on Friday for Corsica.

After Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet broke the story, Mbappé's team quickly denied the allegations through a statement to AFP. “These claims are entirely false and irresponsible, and their publication is unacceptable. All necessary legal measures will be taken to stop the systematic destruction of Kylian Mbappé's reputation and to prosecute those responsible for this defamation.” Mbappé also responded on social media after RMC covered the news, writing, “FAKE NEWS!!!! It’s so predictable, just before the hearing, as if by chance.”

Mbappé's comment referred to an ongoing legal dispute with PSG over a €55 million unpaid bonus and salary. A hearing regarding the case was scheduled for Tuesday but has since been postponed.

According to early reports, the alleged rape occurred on Thursday night, and the victim sought medical care on Friday at a specialised hospital unit for rape victims. She filed a police report on Saturday, identifying Mbappé as the assailant, after which an investigation was launched.

On Monday, Aftonbladet was the first to link Mbappé to the alleged crime. Later, Expressen added that Mbappé was under investigation on “reasonable suspicion.” This means that concrete evidence suggests that the person in question may have committed the alleged act, according to Swedish police. Expressen also reported that police had confiscated the victim’s clothing, including a top, pants, and underwear, and had designated the hotel where the incident allegedly occurred as a crime scene.

Under Swedish law, the “reasonable suspicion” classification does not warrant an arrest at this stage, but Mbappé may be called in for questioning if he is identified as the suspect. After his statement, the Prosecutor’s Office will decide whether to close the case, extend the investigation, or proceed with charges.