Kylian Mbappé reacts angrily to Swedish reports of rape allegations | football

Swedish prosecutors say a rape investigation was launched in Stockholm without mentioning Kylian Mbappé, following media reports that the French captain and Real Madrid player was the suspect.

Swedish public broadcaster SVT reported, citing documents it had seen, that the French soccer player was “well-founded” suspected of rape – the lowest level of suspicion under Swedish law.

It was said that the rape report was made after Mbappé’s visit to Sweden. Other Swedish publications reported the same thing.

The Swedish public prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday: “In response to media reports of an alleged rape in Stockholm, the public prosecutor’s office can confirm that a criminal complaint has been lodged with the police.”

“According to the report, the incident occurred on October 10 in a hotel in central Stockholm.”

The investigation is being led by Senior Prosecutor Marina Chirakova, who was unable to provide further comment.

The prosecution declined to respond to questions about the allegations, telling the Guardian: “There is nothing else the prosecution can confirm or deny.”

Mbappé did not play in France’s Nations League games against Israel and Belgium during the last international break, opting to aid his recovery from a hamstring injury. He reportedly instead went to Chez Jolie, a restaurant in the Swedish capital, before heading to the V nightclub in Stureplan, the Aftonbladet newspaper reported.

On Monday afternoon, Mbappé responded angrily to an initial story from Aftonbladet that referenced the alleged incident but did not link it individually. His dispute with Paris Saint-Germain, his former employer, over an alleged €55 million in outstanding wages was heard by a French league committee on Tuesday and he appeared to link it to the timing of the accusation.

“FAKE NEWS!!!!. It becomes so predictable, right before the hearing, like coincidence,” he wrote on X, adding a “wink” emoji.

Mbappé’s entourage further denied the story in a statement to Agence France-Presse and threatened to pursue the matter further.

“Today a new defamatory rumor from the Swedish media Aftonbladet begins to spread on the Internet,” the statement said. “These allegations are completely false and irresponsible and their spread is unacceptable.

“In order to put an end to this methodical destruction of the image (of Kylian Mbappé), all necessary legal actions will be taken to restore the truth and prosecute any person or media involved in the moral harassment and defamatory treatment.” Kylian Mbappé suffers again and again.”

PSG declined to comment, but a spokesman said they would maintain their “dignity and class”. It is understood the club would be shocked and astonished if there was any suggestion it may have been involved in making such a claim.

Swedish police said they had no comment and referred the matter to the public prosecutor’s office.