Mbappe loses first step in $60 million battle

On September 11, the French Championship's Legal Committee began arbitration in the $60 million salary and bonus dispute that Mbappe accused PSG of not paying. During the two-hour hearing, PSG reiterated a number of public and private commitments to the French player. Accordingly, Mbappe himself affirmed that these commitments must be respected, because the club has given him unprecedented benefits during his seven years of playing.

Based on PSG's point of view, the Legal Committee suggested that Mbappe's side consider the possibility of reconciliation.

According to Marca, this is something PSG have been looking for for months. "PSG has always been optimistic about the dispute," the Spanish newspaper said.added. "The first trial result is not the final result, but it represents the first major victory for the French club."

Mbappe's team is obviously not happy. Soon, they will announce whether they will accept mediation, or take the case to the French Labor Court - which will be responsible for analyzing the arguments that both sides have presented to the commission. At that point, the case could drag on for years.

In an interview in July, Fayza Lamari, Mbappe's mother and representative, believed PSG should pay the outstanding amount, but did not rule out litigation.

Mbappe moved to PSG in 2017 on loan from Monaco. A year later, the Paris club bought him outright for $200 million. In 2022, the two sides signed a new contract until 2024 with a one-year extension clause. With this contract, Mbappe could earn up to $200 million per year. But in mid-2023, he announced that he would not activate the extension clause and would leave for free a year later.

According to French media, PSG threatened to let Mbappe sit out the entire 2023-2024 season if he did not renew or transfer for a fee. Mbappe was then allowed to play again with a commitment to give up part of his salary and bonuses, as a way to compensate for the club's failure to collect a transfer fee.

In July, Mbappe transferred to Real Madrid on a free transfer. But he and his team still asked PSG to pay $60 million, including a part of the signing bonus for a new contract in 2022, the last three months of salary and a moral bonus.