Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has been ordered by the Ligue 1 legal commission to pay €55 million (approximately $61 million) to former star player Kylian Mbappe in unpaid wages. The decision, announced on Thursday, marks a significant development in the ongoing dispute between the French football club and the prolific striker.
Mbappe, who left PSG this summer as a free agent to join Real Madrid, had earlier rejected a mediation offer by the commission. He sought the commission’s intervention to acknowledge the nonpayment of three months’ salary and the final third of a loyalty bonus, following Wednesday’s meeting.
PSG has expressed a firm stance against the commission’s order, indicating their intent to pursue further legal action. “In light of the limitations of the commission’s legal scope to take a complete decision on this matter, the matter must now be contested in another legal forum,” the club stated. “Paris Saint-Germain is delighted to present all the facts over the coming months and year.”
The club contends that they owe Mbappe nothing, referencing an alleged agreement made before the 2023-24 season. According to PSG, Mbappe had stipulated he would forgo certain bonuses related to his reintegration into the team after he was sidelined for choosing not to extend his contract.
“As a matter of law and fact, the player has made clear, repeated public and private commitments that must be respected, having been afforded unprecedented benefits by the club over seven years in Paris,” PSG asserted. “The club looks forward to these being upheld in the proper forum, if the player seeks to pursue this incomprehensibly reputationally damaging matter further, in due course.”
Kylian Mbappe enjoyed a remarkable tenure at PSG, scoring a club-record 256 goals and providing 108 assists in 308 appearances over seven seasons. His contributions were instrumental in PSG’s dominance in French football, helping the team secure six Ligue 1 championships and four Coupe de France titles among other accolades.
The dispute has garnered significant attention in the football world, raising questions about player-club relationships and contractual obligations. As the situation unfolds, both parties appear prepared to engage in a protracted legal battle to resolve the matter.
Reference(s):
Ligue 1 orders PSG to pay Mbappe 55 million euros in unpaid wages
cgtn.com
