French Labour Tribunal Hears Explosive Case as Superstar Seeks €263m and PSG Demands €440m Compensation
The long-running tension between Kylian Mbappé and his former club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), escalated dramatically on Monday as both parties faced off before the French labour court in one of the most high-stakes legal battles in European football history.
The French captain, now starring for Real Madrid, is demanding €263 million from PSG, while the club is counter-suing for an even larger sum €440 million over alleged financial, contractual, and reputational damages.
The heated courtroom confrontation marks the latest chapter in a dispute that began in mid-2023 when Mbappé refused to extend his contract and rejected a world-record €300 million transfer offer from Saudi club Al-Hilal.
Represented by a team of seven lawyers, PSG laid out a detailed and costly list of alleged losses before the tribunal.
According to PSG’s legal representative, Renaud Semerdjian, the club’s €440 million demand includes: €300 million the amount PSG claims it lost when Mbappé refused the Al-Hilal transfer in June 2023, Significant reputational damage linked to the breakdown of relations, Compensation for an alleged agreement breach in which PSG says Mbappé promised not to receive certain payments after rejecting the Saudi offer
Semerdjian reiterated after the hearing:
“Yes, we are seeking €440 million. This reflects the lost transfer revenue, the damage to the club’s image, and the breach of commitments made after he refused the move to Saudi Arabia.”
PSG also told the court that the breakdown forced them into a financial and structural crisis, accusing Mbappé of acting in bad faith by running down his contract before departing for Real Madrid on a free transfer in June 2024.
Mbappé, who did not attend the hearing but was represented by four lawyers, insisted he had made no agreement with PSG in 2023 to forfeit any payments.
He is asking the court for €263 million, which reportedly covers: Unpaid bonuses and wages, Compensation for moral and professional harm, Damages linked to PSG’s alleged mistreatment of him
The player says he was punished by the Qatari-owned club for refusing to sign a new contract.
His lawyers argue that PSG violated French labour laws by: Relegating him to train with “undesirable” players they intended to offload, Excluding him from the club’s 2023 pre-season tour of Asia, Benching him for the opening match of the season, Creating a hostile environment meant to pressure him into signing a new deal
This practice isolating players who refuse new contracts was widely criticized last year, prompting France’s players’ union to file its own complaint against the league.
Mbappé also claims PSG incorrectly classified his employment contract under French labour rules, which could have significant financial implications for both parties.
Mbappé spent seven seasons at PSG, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer with 256 goals in 308 appearances.
Despite his departure, PSG won their first-ever UEFA Champions League title in the season following his exit an ironic twist that has since been used in public debates about his importance to the team.
Now with Real Madrid, Mbappé reportedly earns €30 million per year, and his move to Spain ended months of tension with PSG but set the stage for this high-profile legal clash.
Monday’s tribunal session provided only the opening arguments in what is shaping up to be a landmark labour case in professional sports.
The court is expected to deliberate over several weeks before delivering a final ruling on December 16.
The outcome could set new legal precedents on contract negotiations, player treatment, and transfer disputes across European football.
