The news a bombshell in the football world • The star denies any crime • The reporter: “My phone has died”
It was last Saturday that a woman reported Kylian Mbappé to the police for rape and sexual harassment during the Real Madrid star’s visit to Sweden. The rape is said to have taken place at the Bank hotel in central Stockholm on Thursday. Mbappé and his entourage left Sweden on Friday.
The rape accusation has provoked strong reactions in the football world. French media reported extensively on the incident, topping most news sites in the country.
– It is one of France’s most famous people. My phone went dead today. I have not experienced this much interest in something that happened in Sweden since I came to France. There is huge interest in the issue, says Johanna Frändén, journalist Aftonbladet in Efter fem.
Does not suggest the timing is a coincidence
Kylian Mbappé himself denies wrongdoing. On X, he writes that it is “Fake news”. He suggests that the timing is no coincidence. On Tuesday, Mbappé and his former club PSG will meet in the appeals committee of the professional soccer league, regarding a dispute over unpaid wages and bonuses.
– I think that you should interpret it (fake news) as that he doesn’t think it applies to him. When he publishes it, he thought that a French radio channel picked up a loose rumor from the Swedish media. I also hear from Mbappé’s entourage that they are wondering that they have not been contacted by the Swedish police. So I don’t think he claims his innocence in relation to a report of rape, in that situation he didn’t know about this affair, he was informed by the French media, says Johanna Frändén.
Not interested in the national team
– Mbappé has had a rapid downward journey in popularity. From being the golden boy of 2018, it has squeaked a bit. Some think he hasn’t shown enough interest in the French national team. Why was he in Stockholm when the national team played a match, says Johanna Frändén.
– He was questioned, this will not improve the image. His popularity is down to freezing levels. This could be the nail in the coffin whether or not the case is dropped. It is a questioned world star, says Johanna Frändén.
France’s national team captain Didier Deschamps believes that media reports of rape should be taken with a grain of salt, but has nevertheless commented on them.
– I distance myself from it, but it is clear that it is not good for the French national team, says Deschamps RMS Sport.
Not a thing for the club
Real Madrid have kept a low profile since the allegations against Mbappé became known. An internal source tells RMS Sport that the issue is not a matter for the club.
On the club’s website, it peaked on Tuesday with the news that Mbappé is doing rehab training on his own at the club’s arena, Real Madrid City, to heal his thigh injury. Not a word is mentioned about the rape allegation.
Mbappé missed the Nations League match against Belgium due to the thigh injury.
Is there a police report – is reasonably suspicious
On Tuesday morning, Maira Chikarova, senior prosecutor at the Public Prosecutor’s Office, confirmed that there is a police report against Mbappé, and that the soccer star is “reasonably suspected”, the lower level of suspicion. Chirakova will now decide whether Mbappé should be remanded in custody.
The police have seized a pair of black trousers, a top and a pair of panties, according to additional information The Express. The woman who reported to the police has identified Mbappé as the perpetrator. She is said to have also undergone a medical examination at a clinic for rape victims.
The penalty for rape is at least three years in prison. This means that it is a crime that can result in mandatory detention. A detention request is a prerequisite for a person to be internationally wanted.