France football captain Kylian Mbappé is "astonished" to see his name linked in media reports to a rape inquiry in Sweden, but his lawyer says the player is calm because he has nothing to be sorry about.
However, Swedish media report that the French footballer is being linked to the allegations which involve an incident at a hotel in central Stockholm last Thursday.
Kylian Mbappé has also reacted, summing up the reports as "FAKE NEWS", to his 14 million followers on X.
Swedish media said the footballer had stayed in Stockholm for two days last week, visiting a restaurant on Thursday evening before moving on to a nightclub. He was pictured walking in the centre of the capital with three other people.
Swedish prosecutors clarified on Monday that according to a "criminal report" submitted to police, the incident under investigation took place on 10 October at a hotel.
Police were seen visiting the Bank hotel he had stayed at on Monday, with officers later leaving with bags. One report said they had taken clothing from the hotel in evidence.
"The investigation is being led by senior prosecutor Marina Chirakova, who is unable to provide more information at this time," the Swedish prosecution authority said.
Mbappé was not called up for France's Uefa Nations League matches over the past week and has returned to training with his team Real Madrid.
Lawyer Petra Eklund, who is acting for the complainant in the case, has said she cannot comment on the case at the moment because of legal constraints.
However, Sweden's SVT and other media outlets reported the allegation involved reasonable suspicion of rape, considered a lower level of suspicion under Swedish law.
Kylian Mbappé's lawyers have condemned the media reports as defamatory, and on Tuesday night lawyer Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard appeared on the main evening news programme on TF1, saying nothing was known of the complaint or even if it had been made against her client, who she said was "stunned" by the media frenzy.
"[Kylian Mbappé] is never alone. He is never put in a position where he ends up in a situation that would lead to him taking a risk," she insisted.
"As a result that totally rules out any possibility of reprehensible actions on his part. I can tell you that with absolutely certainty."
She said a complaint proved nothing and that she was preparing to hit back with a claim for defamation.
Meanwhile, in his social media post on Monday night, the footballer appeared to connect the reports emerging from Sweden to a case with his previous French club Paris Saint-Germain over €55m (£46m) that he alleges was unpaid in wages and bonuses.
"It’s becoming so predictable, on the eve of the hearing, as if by chance,” he said.
Kylian Mbappé was the top goalscorer in PSG's history but he left the club over the summer after months of dispute. Tuesday's hearing was before a French football league (LFP) appeals committee. PSG denies the player's allegations and another of Mbappé's lawyers said a decision was expected on 25 October.
Sweden's rape laws were reformed in 2018, so a perpetrator can be convicted of negligent assault or rape if they "should have realised the other person was not participating voluntarily".
Mbappe’s Legal Team Says Player Is Calm, Nothing To Apologize For
The 25-year-old Real Madrid forward has been linked to a rape investigation in Sweden, stemming from an incident at a hotel in Stockholm last Thursday. Swedish media reported that Mbappe was in the capital city for two days last week, spending Thursday evening at a restaurant and then at a nightclub. He was seen with three other individuals while walking in the city center.
French Star Reacts To Allegations, Calls Reports 'FAKE NEWS'
Mbappé's lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard, has stated that the player is calm and has nothing to apologize for because he has done nothing wrong. She also claims the media reports are defamatory and that she is preparing to file a claim for defamation. In a statement, Canu-Bernard has said that Mbappe is “stunned” by the media frenzy and that he has “done nothing wrong,” maintaining that “he is never alone, he is never put in a position where he ends up in a situation that would lead to him taking a risk.”
Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti: Mbappe 'Not Affected At All'
Mbappé missed France's recent international break due to a thigh injury. Instead, he focused on recovering from his injury and also visited Stockholm. The forward returned to action for Real Madrid on the weekend, playing as a substitute against Lille in the Champions League and starting against Villarreal.
Despite the speculation surrounding the rape allegation, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has said that Mbappé is “not affected at all” by the media reports.
"[Mbappé] has made the most of this break to improve his condition,” Ancelotti said in a news conference on Friday ahead of Madrid’s game at Celta Vigo. “It has improved a lot... He’s a different player to the one he was before the break.”
Ancelotti added: “I’m not here to talk about speculation. I’m here to talk about the work he’s done. He had some days off, that’s all. The days off were programmed for him, and after that, everyone chooses what they want to do. I don’t mind where the players want to rest. I went to London for two days and didn’t ask anyone’s permission. I don’t run a travel agency.”
Mbappe Removed From Adidas Advert: Nike Object To Player Appearing In Rival's Material
Mbappé was not included in any of the Spanish giants' promotional material for their new 'Artist Pack' clothing range. However, it later emerged that he was originally in a picture with Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos and England star Jude Bellingham, after Bellingham accidentally posted a picture on social media showing Mbappe behind him wearing a black adidas jacket.
Mbappé Denies Allegations, Says He's the Victim of 'Fake News'
In response to the media coverage of the allegations, Mbappe posted a link to a French media story on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday and wrote: “Fake News!!!!”.
The France national team captain and Real Madrid forward was on a private trip to the Nordic country’s capital last week with a group of friends, Swedish media reported.
Mbappé and his friends left Sweden on Friday, Oct. 11. A report of the allegations against Mbappé was made to police by an unidentified person the following day, Expressen and Aftonbladet reported.
In response to the media reports, Mbappe’s representatives at public relations firm Patricia Goldman sent a statement to Reuters saying: ‘A new slanderous rumour is starting to ignite the web. These accusations are totally false and irresponsible, and their propagation is unacceptable. Kylian Mbappe will under no circumstances tolerate his integrity, reputation and honour being sullied by unfounded insinuations.’
Mbappe’s Visit To Stockholm
The alleged incident occurred on October 10 at a hotel in Stockholm. According to reports, Mbappe had been visiting a restaurant and nightclub before returning to the hotel. The authorities have confirmed that a criminal report has been submitted to the police, however, no suspect has been identified.
Mbappé has not been called up for the French national team's Nations League matches, and has returned to training with Real Madrid.
French Coach Didier Deschamps Defends Mbappe, Urges Caution Amidst Spread Of 'Fake News'
In response to the media reports and the controversy surrounding Mbappé, France's head coach, Didier Deschamps, addressed the media, urging caution and pointing out the spread of misinformation. Deschamps emphasized the need to distinguish between facts and fiction. He also expressed his concern about the negative atmosphere created by the spread of false information.
Mbappé’s Absence From The French National Team: A Symbol Of A Deeper Malaise
The French forward’s absence from the national team's recent matches has also been met with controversy. His absence from the squad has fueled speculation and criticism, especially in light of the ongoing rape investigation. However, the controversy goes deeper than simply the rape investigation. It is a symbol of a broader unease and a lack of enthusiasm with the current state of the French national team.
A New Generation Emerges, Leaving Behind A Golden Generation
France's captain, Kylian Mbappé, is at the center of a perfect storm. He has found himself a symbol of a more deeply entrenched malaise with the state of the France national team, despite his talent and the success he has achieved. It has fueled the debate surrounding the state of the French national team, with many pointing to the recent retirement of Antoine Griezmann, a veteran player who has long been a vital part of the team, as a key factor in this malaise. It is also a reflection of the changing of the guard, as a new generation of players emerges, leaving behind a “golden generation” that achieved glory at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Kylian Mbappé, through his absence, has found himself at the centre of a perfect storm – a symbol of a more deeply entrenched malaise with the state of the France national team that he, more than anyone else, is capable of remedying … just not right now.
