Mbappe's entourage stated they were unaware of any legal complaint filed against him. — AFP file
A Swedish prosecutor announced on Tuesday that a rape investigation had been initiated, without specifically mentioning Kylian Mbappe, following media reports that the Real Madrid and France star was the suspect after a visit to Stockholm. Swedish newspapers Aftonbladet and Expressen, along with public broadcaster SVT, reported on Tuesday that 25-year-old Mbappe was the subject of the investigation, following his two-day visit to the Nordic capital last week.
In response to media reports about a suspected rape in Stockholm, the prosecutor confirmed that a criminal report had been submitted to the police, according to Sweden's Prosecution Authority. The alleged incident took place at a hotel on October 10, but no suspect was named, and no further information could be disclosed at this time. According to a filing with the Stockholm district court reviewed by AFP, the incident occurred at the upscale Bank Hotel in central Stockholm.
Expressen identified Mbappe as the suspect on Monday, citing anonymous sources, while Aftonbladet and SVT confirmed on Tuesday that they had also obtained information indicating Mbappe was the suspect. Expressen reported that Mbappe was 'reasonably suspected' of rape and sexual assault, which is the lower of two degrees of suspicion in the Swedish legal system. The higher degree of suspicion, 'probable cause,' is typically required for a suspect to be remanded in custody before formal charges.
Mbappe's entourage told AFP on Monday that they had no knowledge of a legal complaint made against him. The French international was not selected for his country's latest round of Nations League matches, and thus visited the Swedish capital with a group of people last Thursday. According to Aftonbladet, they dined at a restaurant before going to a nightclub. Mbappe and the group left Sweden on Friday. Aftonbladet reported that the complaint was filed on Saturday after the alleged victim sought medical attention.
Expressen reported on Tuesday that police had seized some clothing as evidence, including women's underwear, a pair of black trousers, and a black top. On Monday, Mbappe himself claimed on X that there was a link between the Aftonbladet report and his hearing before a French league committee on Tuesday, in his dispute with his former club Paris Saint-Germain over unpaid wages.
A source close to Paris Saint-Germain told AFP on Monday that the club would 'ignore' Mbappe's claim that there was a link between the report in Sweden and his dispute with the club. Mbappe's entourage issued a statement to AFP on Monday, calling the accusations 'completely false and irresponsible,' and stating that 'all necessary legal action will be taken to re-establish the truth.'
Mbappe claims he is owed 55 million euros ($60 million) by the Qatari-owned French champions. The French league (LFP) ordered PSG in September to pay Mbappe the 55 million euros in wages and bonuses he claimed he was owed at the time of his departure for Real Madrid at the end of last season. The committee, which includes two members of the French national players' union, a magistrate, and an independent president, can confirm or overturn the LFP's order.
Mbappe joined Madrid this summer after seven years at PSG and has so far avoided scandal in his private life. Known for carefully managing his image through a close network of family, lawyers, and spokespeople, he has become one of the world's highest-paid players after a stellar career that began when he was barely into his teens. He joined Pele as the only teenager to score in a World Cup final when France beat Croatia 4-2 to win the 2018 edition and was voted Best Young Player of the tournament. Four years later in Qatar, he scored a hat-trick in the final against Argentina but finished on the losing side as Lionel Messi's side won in a penalty shootout.
