French authorities investigate € 180,300 (about $ 195,000) in donations from football player Kylian Mbappé in June 2023 to five police officers who were assigned to protect the national team of France.
The investigation – first reported by the Weekly Le Canard Enchaîné investigation – is led by the General Inspectorate of the National Police of France (IGPN). It focuses on personal checks published by Mbappé of a monaco -based bank account in his name.
According to reports, four officers of a French special police unit each received € 30,000 (around $ 32,500), while their commander received € 60,300 (about $ 65,400) by Mbappé. The donations have caused a formal investigation after the French Financial Intelligence Unit – Tracfin, which monitors money, tax fraud and terror finance – has paid the payments.
Mbappé shares the bonus of the World Cup
Sources cited by the French Sport Outlet L'équipe claim that the money came from the bonus that Mbappé earned as the leader of the National Team of France, which finished second at the World Cup 2022 in Qatar. Mbappé had received € 500,000 (about $ 543,000) from the French football federation and chose to donate the full amount to social organizations and the police team that was assigned to protect the players.
“Every other employee received his world cup bonus except these officers,” sources told The Outlet close to Mbappé. The gesture was described as an act of fairness – a way to recognize hard work without expecting anything back.
According to Le Canard Enchaîné, Mbappé consulted with his tax lawyer before making the donations and it was advised that such contributions did not require reporting to tax authorities.
However, researchers are now investigating claims that the commander of the Mbappé police group accompanied on various private trips. Authorities work to determine whether the officer has carried out a paid personal security work that have never been officially explained.