The Paris Saint-Germain has decided to step up in the legal battle it is waging with its former star, Kylian Mbappé. On Monday, the club requested the Paris Court of Justice to annul the €55 million embargo that the player had imposed on its accounts for unpaid salaries and bonuses.
The conflict dates back to early April when Mbappé obtained the right to request this preventive embargo amid a climate of tension between both parties. However, during Monday's hearing, PSG's lawyers argued that the forward "did not provide sufficient evidence of a debt appearance" and had not demonstrated any threat of recovery.
PSG's lawyer, Grégoire Azzaro, stated that the club has filed an appeal to annul the decision of the Professional Football League's legal commission that condemns PSG to pay the €55 million. This procedure will be debated on May 26, coinciding with the deliberation of the case discussed on Monday.
Additionally, PSG has launched a counterclaim for €98 million, alleging that it is Mbappé who owes them money for "unfair tactics" that harmed them. Renaud Semerdjian, PSG's lawyer, emphasized that the goal is not to recover this amount before the court but to demonstrate that the player's claim is unfounded.
In this context, PSG argues that the precautionary embargo could only be exercised on €14 million, and that the club's financial situation does not justify such a measure. "PSG generates €800 million and is valued at over €4 billion", stated Pauline Breuzet, another lawyer for the club.
On the other hand, Mbappé's lawyer, Thomas Clay, did not hold back and questioned the transparency of PSG's accounts, suggesting that the club is being financed by a "sovereign state" that could complicate the recovery of any debt. "Where is the money?" Clay asked, emphasizing the difficulties in seizing it.
The tension between both parties has been escalating, especially since Mbappé decided to leave PSG to join Real Madrid. Clay argued that PSG refuses to fulfill its obligations out of frustration, as their star has left after seven years of service. "If they believe that the sports judge is not a judge, the entire sports legal system will collapse," he warned.
This conflict not only affects the relationships between the player and the club but has also generated an atmosphere of uncertainty in the sports arena, with authorities questioning their ability to enforce decisions in favor of the player due to ongoing legal proceedings.
PSG maintains that there was a verbal agreement in the summer of 2023, stipulating that Mbappé, upon leaving without a transfer fee, would lose part of the sums owed at the end of his contract. However, this claim has been labeled a "fantasy" by the player's lawyer.