Kylian Mbappe, the celebrated French soccer star, has been awarded €60 million ($76 million) in unpaid salary and bonuses by the Paris labor court in a ruling that underscores the importance of adhering to contractual commitments in professional sports. This latest development is part of a contentious dispute between Mbappe and his former club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), which has seen both parties engaged in a legal battle stemming from allegations about a “gentlemen’s agreement” regarding his contract.
The court ruling, made public on Tuesday, comes after a hearing on November 17 where Mbappe’s legal team sought a total of €263 million. In response, PSG filed a counterclaim asking for approximately €440 million in damages. Ultimately, the court ruled in favor of Mbappe, confirming that PSG did not compensate him for wages earned during the months leading up to his free transfer to Real Madrid, including missed payments for April, May, and June 2024, along with his signing and ethics bonuses.
Mbappe’s legal team remarked that the court’s decision is a significant affirmation that contractual obligations must be honored, emphasizing that employment law applies throughout the professional football landscape. They noted that Mbappe had upheld his contractual duties during his seven-year tenure at PSG, culminating in a request for the owed payments after a prolonged 18-month period of negotiations that included a previous harassment complaint withdrawn in pursuit of resolution.
The origins of the conflict trace back to a letter Mbappe sent in June 2023, wherein he indicated he would not exercise an option to extend his contract through 2025. Following that, PSG asserted that an agreement was reached on August 13, 2023, which presented two pathways: extend the contract for a potential transfer fee or depart for free while forfeiting certain financial entitlements. Mbappe’s representatives firmly denied any evidence of such an agreement, stating that the claims were unfounded.
Following a tumultuous buildup to the 2023-24 season, which saw Mbappe placed on the transfer list, the ultimate announcement of his move to Real Madrid was made on May 10, 2024. After this announcement, PSG claimed to activate the second option of their purported agreement, leading to disputes over significant financial sums owed to the player.
In the end, the Paris labor court ruled that PSG must fulfill its financial obligations to Mbappe while dismissing the club’s counterclaims and the majority of Mbappe’s additional allegations. PSG acknowledged the court’s ruling, stating it would comply but may consider an appeal. The club expressed its commitment to a collective vision of success moving forward while wishing Mbappe well in his future endeavors.
This ruling not only impacts the relationship between Mbappe and PSG but also sets a precedent for the enforcement of contract law in sports, emphasizing that athletes are entitled to their agreed-upon remuneration. It highlights the evolving legal landscape surrounding athlete contracts and could have far-reaching implications for future negotiations within the sport.