By Martin Graham | 13th Sep 2024
The conflict between Kylian Mbappé and Paris Saint-Germain continues to escalate, as the French champions have refused to comply with a ruling from the LFP’s legal committee. The committee ordered PSG to pay the former star forward €55 million, covering unpaid wages and bonuses from the final three months of his contract. Despite this directive, PSG has rejected the judgement, setting the stage for a potential court battle.
Unpaid wages and disputed agreement
Mbappé’s contract with PSG ended in June, just before he completed a free transfer to Real Madrid. However, the French forward did not receive his salary for the final months of his tenure, from April to June. PSG has argued that they had an unwritten agreement with Mbappé, in which they believed he would ensure the club didn’t face financial losses if he left for free. According to PSG, this verbal understanding was made to safeguard the club’s financial position in the event of his departure.
PSG has pointed to a public statement made by Mbappé in January, where he referenced an agreement with the club’s president to maintain stability. At that time, Mbappé stated, “With the agreement I made with the president this summer, regardless of my decision, we have managed to protect all parties.” Despite this, Mbappé pursued the matter legally, claiming the unpaid wages and bonuses.
LFP ruling and PSG’s defiance
In early August, Mbappé brought the dispute to the LFP’s legal committee, seeking resolution. Initially, PSG believed they had secured a partial victory when the LFP suggested mediation between both parties. The club publicly supported this decision, but Mbappé rejected the idea of mediation.
The situation intensified when the LFP ruled in Mbappé’s favor, ordering PSG to pay the €55 million in question within eight days. This ruling was delivered on Thursday, as reported by Le Parisien. In response, PSG issued a statement expressing dissatisfaction with the decision and reiterated their refusal to comply. The club warned that should Mbappé persist, the matter would inevitably be taken to court.
Legal battle looms
With both sides entrenched in their positions, it seems that a court battle is the likely next step. PSG has made it clear that they will not pay the unpaid wages and bonuses without further legal intervention. Mbappé, meanwhile, appears determined to claim what he is owed, having rejected attempts at mediation.
As the dispute drags on, it has cast a shadow over the end of Mbappé’s time at PSG, a relationship once marked by triumphs but now mired in legal conflict. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for future player-club disputes in European football, particularly involving star players on high-profile contracts.
