French football star Kylian Mbappe has won a major legal battle against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). A Paris labour court ruled that PSG must pay Mbappe 60 million euros in unpaid salary and bonuses. The case stems from earnings the forward claimed were withheld between April and June 2024.
The Legal Dispute
Mbappe took legal action after PSG allegedly withheld payments shortly before his transfer to Real Madrid. The Paris labour court reviewed the case in November, following a lengthy dispute process. Mbappe’s lawyer, Frederique Cassereau, described the ruling as expected given the unpaid salaries.
The court determined PSG failed to pay three months’ wages, an ethics bonus, and a signing bonus. The French Professional Football League had earlier confirmed these amounts were due under Mbappe’s contract. PSG did not provide written proof that Mbappe had waived any of his entitlements.
Court Ruling Details
The judges rejected PSG’s claim that Mbappe should forfeit the unpaid wages. However, several additional claims by Mbappe, including alleged concealed work and moral harassment, were minimized. The court classified Mbappe’s contract as fixed-term, limiting his entitlement to dismissal-related compensation.
Mbappe’s legal team stated that the ruling reinforces the principle that contractual commitments must be honoured. They emphasized that labour law applies universally, even in professional football.
Mbappe is recognized for respecting his sporting and contractual duties throughout his seven-year tenure at PSG.
PSG’s Arguments and Response
PSG claimed Mbappe acted disloyally by refusing to sign a new contract for nearly a year. The club argued this prevented them from securing a transfer fee similar to the €180 million paid to AS Monaco in 2017.
Mbappe’s representatives clarified that the dispute strictly concerned unpaid compensation and labour law application.
They stated the case was unrelated to transfer policies or his move to Real Madrid.
Implications of the Verdict
This ruling highlights the enforceability of player contracts under French labour law. It sets a precedent for other players facing unpaid wages or contractual disputes. Mbappe’s victory reinforces accountability among top football clubs regarding salary and bonus obligations.
Conclusion
Kylian Mbappe’s legal win against PSG underscores the importance of contractual compliance in professional football. The court’s €60 million ruling compensates him for withheld salary and bonuses from 2024.
This decision strengthens the rights of players and emphasizes that no club is above labour law.
