Kylian Mbappe denounces Swedish media's rape allegations as 'fake news'
1. French footballer's entourage threatens to take legal action, calling Swedish media report a "slanderous rumour"
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé declared on Monday that he was the victim of "fake news" after a Swedish newspaper reported that an investigation had been opened into a rape allegation following a visit by the French footballer's entourage to Stockholm.
The 25-year-old athlete claimed in a post on X that there was a connection between the report from the *Aftonbladet* tabloid and his upcoming hearing before a French league committee regarding his bitter dispute over unpaid wages with his former club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). “FAKE NEWS!!!! It's becoming so predictable, especially on the eve of the hearing, as if by chance,” Mbappé wrote.
His representatives described the report as a "slanderous rumor" and warned of potential legal action. Mbappé alleges that he is owed $60 million by the Qatari-owned club.
The 2018 World Cup winner was not selected for France's recent Nations League matches and spent Thursday and Friday in Stockholm, where he dined at a restaurant with a group of people. According to *Aftonbladet*, he later visited a nightclub.
The newspaper reported that a rape occurred "in Stockholm city centre," citing a formal complaint made to the police on Saturday. The complaint was filed after the alleged victim sought medical attention but did not name Mbappé as the accused.
“A probe is underway into a crime that was reported on October 10 in the centre of Stockholm,” a prosecutor investigating the case confirmed to AFP. Swedish police declined to provide further details. Police spokeswoman Carina Skagerlind explained, “If we have received a complaint and decided to conduct interviews, making it known to the public may prompt those involved to take actions that could delay and complicate the investigation.”
*The Aftonbladet* published photos showing police officers in front of the hotel where Mbappé and his group were staying.
In a statement sent to AFP, Mbappé’s representatives said: “Today, a new slanderous rumor is spreading online from the Swedish media *Aftonbladet*. These accusations are completely false and irresponsible, and their dissemination is unacceptable. To put an end to this systematic destruction of Kylian Mbappé's image, we will take all necessary legal actions to restore the truth and pursue any individuals or media involved in the moral harassment and defamatory treatment that Kylian Mbappé is repeatedly suffering.”
A source close to PSG stated that the club would "ignore" Mbappé's claim regarding the connection between the report in Sweden and his ongoing dispute with the team. Mbappé joined Real Madrid in the summer after spending seven years at PSG.
