Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe is now under investigation over suspicious payments allegedly made to French police officers.
The Paris Public Prosecutor has launched an investigation into payments made by Mbappe, amid concerns regarding their legality.
According to AFP, France’s police watchdog, IGPN, began examining the matter after it emerged that five CRS officers, assigned to protect the French national football team, had received cheques from Mbappe totalling €180,300 (approximately R3.7 million).
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France’s financial intelligence unit, Tracfin, had previously flagged unusual transactions involving these officers and three private security agents.
It is alleged that the payments may have been for undeclared private security services for Mbappe, rather than for official police duties.
The investigation aims to determine whether the payments were legitimate contributions linked to national security or intended for Mbappe’s personal protection outside formal channels.
The case is now officially under review by the Paris Public Prosecutor’s office.
“A judicial investigation into the charges of undeclared work and money laundering through tax fraud has been entrusted to the National Investigation Division of the IGPN,” the Paris Public Prosecutor’s office stated.
“The investigations, which are inherently complex given the financial transactions involved, are underway in order to characterise the commission of possible criminal offences and, where appropriate, identify the perpetrators.”
Mbappe is said to have denied any wrongdoing in the matter, stating that “everything was done in compliance with the rules” and “without any compensation.”
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