Kylian Mbappé, France’s 256-year-old striker, is now at Real Madrid following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain. However, not everything has yet been settled between the player and the club where he spent 7 years. The French international is in financial dispute with Paris over unpaid bonuses and wages, although PSG believe that an agreement had been reached. It’s a case that’s dragging on with the various procedures, and it’s difficult to see clearly. Delphine Verheyden, the player’s lawyer, gave L’Equipe an update.
“We’re in a case that’s becoming much larger than just my client’s case.”
“PSG has summoned the LFP before the Paris judicial court, believing that it is not competent to oblige a club to respect the commitments it has made. To take part in a professional championship, PSG has to accept the rules. But at the end of the story, it says that the League and the Federation have no power over it as a club.
This is becoming a much bigger issue than just my client’s case. It could blow up the whole system. Incidentally, the club is in the process of saying loud and clear to all the other clubs: “Stop paying your players, force them to go to the industrial tribunal”.
But it takes a year and a half to get a decision in first instance, two years on appeal and as much in cassation. They’ll all have finished their careers before they get paid…”.
“PSG wants to escape the rules of soccer. It’s ready to bring down the system.”
PSG wants to escape soccer regulations. It is ready to bring down the system rather than fulfill its obligations. If the governing bodies don’t protect the contracts and their regulations, we’re sending out a strong signal that says, ‘You can trample all over the players’.”
Of the 55 million, around 25 million is for Kylian Mbappé. But the other 30 million are taxes and charges. My aim is not to punish PSG.
Otherwise, we’d have gone to court a long time ago for image damage or moral harassment. All Kylian Mbappé wants is to be paid what he’s owed.”
In all legal matters, we have a clear position: to be cautious about what either party says. If there’s a dispute, it’s because there’s a disagreement. Each party believes the other is wrong, so they have arguments against them.
In this case, Mbappé’s lawyer also has to defend the player’s image and, if possible, show how PSG is at fault. Even if it means exaggerating a little. Especially since the Parisian club keeps repeating that it is following a commitment made by the player. The club can then reply that it is he who can “break the system” if he doesn’t stick to it.
This seems to be where the problem lies, between what PSG consider to be an agreement sealed with Mbappé, which corresponds to what the latter said in public, and the contract that was envisaged. We’re not in a good enough position to decide.
Finally, we would like to point out that this aggressive statement comes after a week of very positive communication from the player, who even emphasized his “love” for PSG. No doubt a happy coincidence.
