In a major legal development, French football giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have been directed by a Paris labour court to pay their former star forward, Kylian Mbappe, a staggering sum of 60 million euros (approximately £52.5 million). This ruling brings a partial conclusion to a protracted and acrimonious dispute between the club and the player, who now represents Real Madrid.
The Core of the Legal Battle: Unpaid Wages and Bonuses
The legal action was initiated by Mbappe after his departure from PSG on a free transfer in the summer of 2024. The France captain contended that the club had withheld several payments that were contractually due to him during the final months of his contract. The court meticulously examined the claims and found merit in his arguments regarding specific unpaid sums.
The judges determined that PSG failed to pay Mbappe three months of salary, covering the period from April to June 2024. Furthermore, the court ruled that the club also did not disburse an ethics bonus and a signing bonus that were explicitly written into his contract. The combined total of these unpaid amounts was adjudged to be the 60 million euros.
Claims Dismissed and Counter-Claims Rejected
It is noteworthy that Mbappe had originally sought a much larger compensation of 263 million euros (£231.5 million). This initial claim included damages linked to a broader contract dispute and allegations of ill-treatment by the club. However, the court dismissed several of his additional claims, including those related to moral harassment, concealed work, and a breach of the employer's duty of safety.
On its part, PSG had launched a significant counter-claim against the player, demanding 240 million euros (£211 million). The club's argument centred on a proposed 300 million euros transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal that collapsed in 2023, for which they sought compensation. The court firmly rejected this counter-claim, stating that PSG provided no written agreement proving Mbappe had agreed to forfeit the wages owed to him.
A Significant Victory and Future Implications
The ruling represents a substantial legal victory for Kylian Mbappe and a notable setback for PSG. The judges noted that the unpaid sums had already been recognised by two separate decisions of the French Professional Football League in September and October 2024. Mbappe's lawyer, Frederique Cassereau, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "We are satisfied with the ruling. This is what you could expect when salaries went unpaid. These sums were clearly due."
This case highlights the complex financial and contractual intricacies in top-tier football. While the court's decision addresses the specific issue of unpaid salary and bonuses, it marks the end of only one chapter in the wider narrative of Mbappe's exit from Paris, setting a precedent for how similar disputes might be handled in the future.
