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<ul><li>Mbappe is in financial trouble</li><li>Generous gesture draws attention from tax watchdogs</li><li>Advocate insisted that every penny spent is "lawful" </li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Kylian Mbappe's €180,000 payment to police officers defended as 'lawful' as investigation into Real Madrid superstar's donations is launched

<p>According to reports, the generous sum <a href="https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Le-don-de-kylian-mbappe-etait-licite-selon-l-avocat-d-un-des-crs-retribues/1579149" target="_blank">was divided among five recipients</a>; four riot police officers each received €30,000, while their commanding officer was gifted a larger share of €60,300. The funds were distributed from the bonus Mbappe received for representing France during the Qatar tournament, where the team finished as runners-up. However, the payment, meant as a token of gratitude, has triggered a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/kylian-mbappe-donations-five-police-officers-trouble-investigation-eur180k-payments-real-madrid/blt80c51a8cd3bd4747" target="_blank">formal investigation after France’s anti-money laundering unit,</a> Tracfin, raised concerns over the legitimacy and declaration of the donation. </p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Jean-Baptiste Soufron, legal counsel for the officer who received the €60,300 share, addressed the situation publicly on Friday, stating unequivocally that the donation was “completely lawful.” Soufron asserted that the money was given via a personal check and therefore did not require a formal declaration under French law. He also clarified that the payment had no bearing on the officer’s duties beyond the World Cup.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>"This donation received for the 2022 World Cup was made by check and did not need to be declared," Soufron clarified. "It makes no sense to make a retrospective link with the interventions carried out by my client in 2023 with Mbappe during public trips."</p>

WHAT SOUFRON SAID

<p>One focal point of the investigation is Mbappe’s visit to Cameroon, where he was accompanied by one of the officers who received a portion of the donation. The trip took place in 2023, after the initial donation was made, leading some to speculate about a possible connection between the money and the officer’s continued involvement in Mbappe’s security detail. Soufron, however, dismissed these claims, stating that the officer’s role on the Cameroon trip fell under standard responsibilities as a member of the French Football Federation’s (FFF) security team.</p><p>"My client's interventions did not receive any compensation and fell within his normal role as head of security for the FFF," explained Soufron.</p><p></p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Despite the unfolding investigation, Mbappe appears unfazed and is currently on a brief summer break following a tough conclusion to Real Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign as Los Blancos were humiliated in the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/psg-player-ratings-real-madrid-club-world-cup-fabian-ruiz-ousmane-dembele/blt018545c3a5ed7e99" target="_blank">semi-final with a 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain</a>. The forward is expected to report back to the club during the first week of August to begin pre-season training. The Spanish giants will begin their La Liga campaign on August 19 against Osasuna, with Mbappe set to play a key role.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?

Kylian Mbappe's €180,000 payment to police officers defended as 'lawful' as investigation into Real Madrid superstar's donations is launched | Goal.com

Kylian Mbappe has unexpectedly found himself embroiled in legal scrutiny after it was revealed that he donated over €180,000 from his FIFA World Cup bonus to a group of police officers. The Real Madrid forward reportedly transferred the significant amount to five officers from France’s riot police unit who were assigned to protect the national team during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Kylian Mbappe&apos;s €180,000 payment to police officers defended as &apos;lawful&apos; as investigation into Real Madrid superstar&apos;s donations is launched