PSG and Mbappé at odds: Paris blame game as tensions rise | OneFootball

"Paris Saint-Germain was represented today before the Paris Labor Court to have the significant damages suffered by the club recognized following Mr. Kylian Mbappé's serious breaches of his legally binding contractual obligations and the most basic principles of good faith and loyalty. The club wishes to remind that it has done everything possible, for over a year, to reach an amicable solution to allow all parties to move forward, in accordance with the cooperative and trusting relationship that must exist between a club and its player.

Several bodies involved in this dispute have indeed encouraged an amicable settlement, which the club has always sought in good faith. Despite these repeated efforts, Mr. Mbappé has continually attacked the club at every opportunity, including through the procedure initiated today — an unfortunate situation for the player himself, as well as for French football as a whole.

Before the court, the club presented evidence showing that the player acted disloyally by concealing for nearly eleven months, between July 2022 and June 2023, his decision not to extend his contract, thus depriving the club of any possibility to organize a transfer. The player then challenged an agreement made with the club in August 2023, which provided for a salary reduction if he decided to leave freely, to preserve the club's financial stability after the exceptional investment made. This concealment, combined with the contestation of this clear and documented agreement, caused Paris Saint-Germain considerable harm that the club intends to have recognized before the competent authorities.

Such behavior illustrates, beyond an indifference to the club's economic health, an exploitation of the trust that Paris Saint-Germain had placed in him and that the player regularly fueled through his statements, such as on January 3, 2024, when he declared in the mixed zone after the match at the Parc: "I have not yet made my decision, but with the agreement I made with the president this summer, no matter my choice, we managed to protect all parties and preserve the club's serenity for the challenges ahead, which remains the most important. My decision is secondary."

Regarding the request to reclassify his contract as a permanent one, Paris Saint-Germain reaffirms that it is completely unfounded legally. Professional players' contracts are specific fixed-term contracts, governed by the Sports Code and approved by the Professional Football League, in accordance with French and European law. Paris Saint-Germain also rejects all accusations of harassment or pressure, reminding that Mr. Mbappé participated in more than 94% of the official matches of the 2023/2024 season — all sporting decisions having been made by a coach now a Champions League winner — and that he has always played in conditions consistent with the Professional Football Charter.

In law and in fact, the player has made clear and repeated public and private commitments, which the club simply asks him to respect, after having benefited from exceptional conditions for seven years at Paris Saint-Germain. Paris Saint-Germain continues to defend its rights rigorously. Fundamentally, it is a matter of good faith, honesty, maintaining values, and respecting the Parisian institution and its supporters. At the same time, Paris Saint-Germain continues on the momentum of the most successful season in its history, based on solidarity, work, team spirit, and the primacy of the club over any individual."

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