A representative for Kylian Mbappé has fiercely rejected recent claims made by Swedish media, labeling them as “totally false and irresponsible.”
Reports from various Swedish outlets, including public broadcaster SVT and CNN affiliate Expressen, allege that the French soccer star is “suspected on reasonable grounds of rape” following his visit to a nightclub and a hotel in Stockholm on October 10.
According to the Swedish police, suspicion on reasonable grounds suggests that there are specific circumstances indicating that an individual may have committed an act. Swedish prosecutors confirmed on Tuesday that a criminal report had been filed related to these media allegations of a suspected rape incident in Stockholm.
While the press release from Swedish prosecutors did not mention any individuals by name, they indicated that they could not disclose further information at this time.
The 25-year-old Mbappé took to social media, calling the reports “FAKE NEWS” in response to similar claims circulated by French outlet RMC Sport, which subsequently deleted its original post.
Mbappé’s representative released a statement through a public relations firm, stating, “A new slanderous rumour is starting to set the web ablaze, originating from the Swedish media AFTONBLADET and EXPRESSEN.
These accusations are totally false and irresponsible, and their spread is unacceptable.
Kylian Mbappé will not tolerate under any circumstances that his integrity, reputation, and honour be tarnished by unfounded insinuations.
In order to put an end to this methodical destruction of his image, all necessary legal actions will be taken to re-establish the truth and pursue any person or media involved in the moral harassment and defamatory treatment that Kylian Mbappé repeatedly suffers.”
In a television appearance on French network TF1, Mbappé’s lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard, defended her client, denouncing the reports as a “slanderous denunciation.” She mentioned that Mbappé attended training on Tuesday and described him as “absolutely calm” despite the gravity of the allegations.
However, she expressed that he was “completely flabbergasted” by the media frenzy surrounding him, questioning how he could be implicated in accusations both remotely and personally.
Canu-Bernard further explained in an interview with BFMTV that the ongoing media coverage has affected Mbappé and made it “complicated” for him to cope. “I wish him every success in scoring as many goals as possible in his next match,” she said. “At some point, if this media frenzy and these thinly veiled accusations persist and light is not shed quickly, he will be heard by the investigators.”
Mbappé, who plays for Real Madrid, did not participate in France’s recent UEFA Nations League matches against Israel and Belgium.
His next opportunity to take the field will be when Los Blancos face Celta de Vigo in La Liga on Saturday. Reports from AFP indicate that Mbappé spent last week in Stockholm, arriving on Thursday and remaining in the Swedish capital through Friday.
