Mbappe Alleges Moral Harassment by PSG

French footballer Kylian Mbappe has filed a complaint against his former club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), alleging “moral harassment” during the final season of his stay at the club. 

According to the complaint, the club “lofted” him, meaning he was isolated from the main squad for sporting, administrative, or disciplinary reasons, after he declined to sign a contract extension ahead of the 2023-24 season.

Mbappe, now playing for Real Madrid, is locked in an ongoing dispute with PSG, claiming the club owes him 55 million euros ($61 million) in unpaid wages. Having joined the club in 2017 at the age of 18, Mbappe signed the most lucrative contract in PSG’s history in 2022, which ran until 2024 and included a player option for an extra season.

In June 2023, Mbappe informed the club that he would not exercise the option to extend, as he sought a move to Real Madrid. This left PSG facing the prospect of losing him on a free deal the following summer. As he declined to extend the contract, he was left out of the squad for a preseason tour to Japan and South Korea and forced to train with fringe players.

PSG explored transfer options, but Mbappe rejected an offer of 300 million euros ($351.4 million) from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. PSG left Mbappe out of the opening league game of that season, but he later returned to the lineup following negotiations with the club.

In April, Mbappe’s legal team signalled its intent to pursue legal action over the treatment he received during this period.

The saga adds a layer of tension ahead of July 9, when Mbappe is set to face PSG in the Club World Cup semifinals at MetLife Stadium.