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Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe accused of rape. What is known about it?
Mbappe has been removed from Real Madrid's promotional photos following allegations of sexual assault.
Real Madrid and France striker Kylian Mbappe has been accused of sexual assault. The incident reportedly took place at a Stockholm hotel where the striker was staying while his national team played an official match against Israel in Budapest last week.
The Spanish club and the star footballer himself have already responded to the loud statement. He called the charges fictitious and added: "It's so predictable on the eve of the trial." The meeting marked a clash with his former club PSG, when the striker demanded unpaid wages. Mbappe believes that the Parisian club is involved in the charges.
Mbappe was in the same hotel where the sexual assault occurred.
The alleged sexual assault reportedly took place at the Bank Hotel, where Mbappe was staying during his visit to the Swedish capital. On Saturday, October 12, the woman sought medical help after claiming she had been sexually assaulted. She reportedly called the French football star a rapist.
According to Expressen, police seized underwear, black pants and a black top from the hotel as evidence. The hotel declined to comment, citing a lack of information. Prosecutor Marina Chirakova confirmed that she had received a report of sexual assault at the hotel in central Stockholm on October 10 and that various investigative measures were being taken. However, she did not specify who exactly was involved in the case.
However, it was reported that the level of suspicion against Mbappe was "reasonably suspicious" - the lowest level allowed under Swedish law. The striker may be part of the group of suspects as he was in the same hotel.
Mbappe's lawyer Marie-Alix Kanu-Bernard promised to respond to Swedish media's claims against French TV channel TF1 on Tuesday evening.
Mbappe flew to Stockholm, and France played in Budapest.
The striker was reportedly in the Swedish capital on Wednesday and Thursday and left on a private jet on Friday afternoon. Accompanied by his friend, Bayer Leverkusen player Nordi Mukiele, the Real Madrid star visited, among other places, the Chez Jolie restaurant and the V nightclub, where a separate room was reserved for him with a ban on phones.
Moreover, on Thursday, October 10, the French national team played a Nations League match against the Israeli national team in Budapest. (The Israeli national team currently plays its home matches outside its home territory.) Mbappe was absent from the national team's La Liga match against Real Madrid (3-2) against Alaves on September 24, as coach Didier Deschamps decided to rest the player and his recovery from the injury was not convened. The striker was diagnosed with a biceps femoris injury.
In addition to Mbappe's own reaction, Real Madrid have also spoken out. They said they are not concerned that the criticism is being spread "with the intention of denigrating the player." However, the club has removed the forward from the Adidas campaign photos. Another Real Madrid player, Jude Bellingham, also posted the same photo as Mbappe. This is actually because Mbappe himself has an advertising deal with rival Nike, although RMC Sport says it has nothing to do with the rape allegations.
Didier Deschamps distanced himself from the issue but acknowledged that the situation was not helping the French team. He expressed regret over the incident. "Distinguish between truth and lies... I think some people want to blame him for everything," Deschamps said, adding that he would not discuss the allegations with captain Mbappe.
Mbappe himself appeared at Real Madrid's training base on Tuesday along with other teammates.
On the day the accusation was made public, the player filed a lawsuit against his former team.
After the allegations emerged on Tuesday, a four-member committee began examining a multi-million pound dispute with Paris Saint-Germain over Mbappe's salary at his former club.
Last September, the French Professional Football Federation (LFP) ordered PSG to pay Mbappe €55 million in salary and bonuses. PSG appealed the decision. The club also reported that the striker had been "harassing" PSG. The verdict is set for October 25.