Kylian Mbappe wins LFP ruling, but PSG refuses to pay €55 million
By Manuel Meza
The ongoing dispute between Kylian Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain has taken a new turn, with the potential for a legal showdown on the horizon. The Ligue de Football Professionnel's (LFP) legal committee recently ruled that PSG must pay their former star €55 million in unpaid wages and bonuses. However, the reigning Ligue 1 champions have refused to comply with this judgement, setting the stage for a court battle.
The controversy dates back to the final three months of Mbappe's contract with PSG, from April to June, during which the French forward reportedly went unpaid. This period coincided with the breakdown in relations between the player and the club, culminating in Mbappe's high-profile move to Real Madrid.
PSG's refusal to pay the owed wages stems from what they claim was a "gentleman's agreement" with the France captain. The club believed that this agreement, which they assert was publicly acknowledged by Mbappe in January, would protect them from financial losses in the event that he left on a free transfer.
Kylian Mbappe wins LFP ruling, but PSG refuses to pay €55 million
In January, Mbappe stated, "With the agreement that I made with the president this summer, regardless of my decision, we have managed to protect all parties, maintain serenity at the club for the future challenges – that's the most important thing." PSG argues that this statement confirms the existence of the agreement and justifies their stance.
However, Mbappe did not share the same interpretation of the situation and took the matter to the LFP legal committee in early August. Initially, PSG saw a glimmer of hope when the LFP suggested legal mediation as a way to resolve the dispute. The club publicly praised this recommendation, viewing it as a minor victory. But Mbappe rejected the proposal, leading the LFP to issue a more definitive ruling.
On Thursday, the LFP announced that PSG must pay the €55 million in unpaid wages and bonuses within eight days. In response, PSG released a statement expressing their dissatisfaction with the ruling and reiterated their refusal to pay. The club has warned Mbappe that if he wants to pursue the matter further, he will need to take legal action.