Swedish authorities are reportedly investigating French football star Kylian Mbappe for rape following his recent visit to Stockholm. The Real Madrid forward, however, has strongly denounced these claims as “fake news.”
What Sparked the Investigation?
According to the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, a formal complaint was filed with local police after an alleged rape occurred in central Stockholm. The incident reportedly took place while Kylian Mbappe was visiting the Swedish capital with a group of friends. The group was spotted dining at a restaurant before heading to a nightclub on Thursday night. Mbappe and his entourage left Sweden on Friday.
The police, however, did not immediately release the name of the suspect. Shortly after Aftonbladet broke the story, Expressen revealed that the suspect in question is 25-year-old Mbappe, which escalated the situation dramatically.
Swedish law enforcement has launched a thorough investigation into the matter. In Sweden, there are different degrees of suspicion: either “reasonable” or “probable.” As per the report from Expressen, Mbappe is under “reasonable suspicion,” which is the lower level of suspicion but still legally significant.
The police have yet to clarify further details of the ongoing investigation. Carina Skagerlind, a spokeswoman for the Stockholm police, mentioned that a probe had indeed begun into a reported crime from October 10. She emphasized that the public disclosure of such information could complicate the investigation, as the involved parties might take actions that hinder progress.
Mbappe Responds: “Fake News”
Kylian Mbappe took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to respond to the allegations. The football star vehemently denied the claims, dismissing the news as false and sensationalist. In his post, Mbappe also suggested that the timing of the report was suspicious, as it came just before his hearing with the French league committee. The hearing concerns Mbappe’s ongoing legal dispute with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), regarding unpaid wages from his time at the club.
“FAKE NEWS!!!! It’s becoming so predictable, on the eve of the hearing, as if by chance,” Mbappe posted.
Mbappe’s Entourage Speaks Out
Following the media frenzy, Mbappe’s legal team issued a strong statement, condemning the rumors circulating in Swedish media, and called the accusations “false and irresponsible.” The statement added that Mbappe’s team would take all necessary legal steps to address these claims and defend his reputation.
Mbappe’s ongoing legal dispute with his former club PSG has added another layer to this unfolding saga. Despite Mbappe’s suggestion that there may be a link between the Swedish report and his legal battle with PSG, sources close to the French club told AFP that they plan to ignore these allegations. The source dismissed any connection between the Swedish investigation and the financial dispute between Mbappe and PSG.
Mbappe’s Rise to Stardom
Kylian Mbappe’s football career has been nothing short of extraordinary. After joining Real Madrid in the summer, he became one of the highest-paid footballers in the world. His football achievements include joining Pele as the only teenager to score in a World Cup final, when France beat Croatia 4-2 to win the 2018 World Cup.
He recorded another heroic performance in the 2022 World Cup, where he scored a hat-trick in the final against Argentina.