France's coach, Didier Deschamps, addressed recent media reports linking Kylian Mbappe to a rape investigation in Sweden, saying the claims are creating a "negative atmosphere" around the national team. This follows a report by Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet and other outlets suggesting that the 25-year-old Real Madrid striker was the target of an ongoing investigation.
Deschamps spoke out after France's 2-1 win against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League, where he acknowledged the controversy surrounding Mbappe, who had already been in the spotlight for missing recent national team games to focus on fitness. “Everyone is free to write what they want, but there is a negative atmosphere around the French team,” he said, before warning against jumping to conclusions.
The controversy intensified on Tuesday after a Swedish prosecutor confirmed that a rape investigation had been opened. While the official statement did not name Mbappe, media outlets, including Aftonbladet, Expressen, and public broadcaster SVT, reported that the French star was the suspect. The Prosecution Authority confirmed that the incident allegedly occurred at the upscale Bank Hotel in central Stockholm on October 10, following Mbappe's two-day visit to the Nordic capital.
According to Expressen, Mbappe is “reasonably suspected” of rape, the lower of two degrees of suspicion in Sweden's legal system. The higher degree, "probable cause," would be required to hold a suspect in custody before formal charges are made. The complaint was reportedly filed on October 12, after the alleged victim sought medical attention, with Expressen further reporting that police had seized women’s clothing, including underwear, as evidence.
Mbappe has denied the allegations, calling the reports "fake news." He took to social media on Monday, suggesting the timing of the accusations was suspicious, coinciding with his legal dispute with his former club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), over unpaid wages. "It’s becoming so predictable, on the eve of the hearing, as if by chance,” he wrote.
The rape allegations follow Mbappe's visit to Stockholm last week, where he dined at a restaurant and visited a nightclub before leaving the city on Friday. His entourage has denied any knowledge of a legal complaint and condemned the media reports as “slanderous” and “irresponsible,” stating that they would take all necessary legal action to “re-establish the truth.”
The French star, who recently joined Real Madrid after a stellar seven-year career at PSG, has up until now kept a clean reputation in his private life. Known for carefully managing his public image, Mbappe is regarded as one of the highest-paid and most talented footballers globally. His achievements include joining Pele as the only teenager to score in a World Cup final, helping France win the 2018 edition. Despite his hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final, Mbappe’s side lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout.
As the investigation continues, Mbappe remains in a heated legal battle with PSG, claiming €55 million in unpaid wages and bonuses. The outcome of the French league committee’s decision could impact both his financial dispute and his future standing with the football community.
Deschamps, meanwhile, has chosen to stay clear of the speculation. “I am not going to talk to him about it. He is big enough to know how to communicate,” he said, advising caution when responding to such reports.
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