FFF to remain silent amid Kylian Mbappé rape accusations from ...

FFF to remain silent amid Kylian Mbappé rape accusations from Swedish media

France captain Kylian Mbappé (25) is the subject of accusations from Swedish media amid an investigation into an alleged rape, which happened whilst he was in Stockholm last week. The France Football Federation (FFF) have not commented on the situation, and nor are they expected to, as L’Équipe reports.

Mbappé’s trip to Stockholm controversially coincided with Les Bleus’ UEFA Nations League match against Israel, which he missed due to recovery from a thigh injury.  The alleged rape happened in the hotel in which the Frenchman was staying, on 10th October. The report from Aftonbladet in Sweden did not mention Mbappé as being a subject of the police’s investigation, unlike a report from Expressen later that evening, which stated the contrary. Speaking to the AFP, the Real Madrid forward’s entourage stated that they were unaware that he was the subject of any enquiry. Confirming the enquiry, the Swedish prosecutor did not mention Mbappé’s name.

Mbappé denounced the initial report from Aftonbladet as “FAKE NEWS” whilst his legal representatives went on national television in France on Tuesday night to defend their client. “He’s done nothing wrong,” his lawyer, Canu Bernard, told TF1.

Les Bleus manager Didier Deschamps also reacted to reports, in the wake of the win over Belgium on Monday night. “At the minute, [stories] are coming from everywhere, in whatever way. News, fake news, I don’t know. It is difficult. He is big enough to communicate. We have an environment which is very negative. You have to be careful when you relay things. I am not saying that I know because I don’t,” said Deschamps.

He added, “It is best to take a step back before publishing whatever. However, there are things that aren’t difficult to verify, but if you give credit to whoever… I am taking a step back from it but it isn’t a good thing for the France national team.”

However, the head of the FFF, Philippe Diallo, has yet to make any comment on the ongoing situation. As per L’Équipe, Diallo is following developments in the media, although he does not have sources of his own regarding the story. He is not expected to comment on the situation any time soon, in the heat of the moment.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle