French soccer star Kylian Mbappé’s representatives have rejected as “false and irresponsible” reviews in Swedish media saying he’s the topic of a rape investigation within the nation.
With out citing sources, a number of Swedish media shops, together with tabloids Expressen and Aftonbladet and broadcasters SVT and TV4, reported the Actual Madrid striker was the topic of a rape declare after a go to to Stockholm final week.
After the reviews, Swedish prosecutors issued a quick assertion saying a rape had been reported to police, however didn’t identify any suspect.
“In line with the report, the incident occurred on October 10, 2024, at a resort in central Stockholm,” the Swedish Prosecution Authority mentioned in a press release.
Prosecutor Marina Chirakova, who’s main that investigation, declined to provide any additional particulars.
“From my facet I can not affirm whether or not there’s a suspect within the case,” she informed The Related Press.
Names of suspects are sometimes not made public by Swedish authorities till prices are filed or a suspect is ordered held in pre-trial detention.
Mbappé’s communications group accused Swedish media of spreading “slanderous” rumours.
“These accusations are completely false and irresponsible, and their propagation is unacceptable,” they mentioned in a press release.
“Kylian Mbappé will by no means tolerate his integrity, fame and honour being sullied by unfounded insinuations.”
In a put up late Monday, native time, on his official X account, Mbappé wrote “FAKE NEWS!!!!” and linked to a French article choosing up the Swedish reviews.
He appeared to attract a hyperlink between the reviews in Sweden and a listening to in Paris in a authorized dispute with former membership Paris Saint-Germain over unpaid wages.
“It is changing into so predictable, on the eve of the listening to, as if by probability,” the put up mentioned in French.
A lawyer for Mbappé, Marie-Alix Cane-Bernard, informed French broadcaster TF1 her shopper was “bewildered” by the reviews.
“We’re informed {that a} criticism has been lodged, however at this stage we do not even know in opposition to whom,” she mentioned.
“A criticism doesn’t make the reality, a criticism doesn’t show something. And as soon as once more, I do not even know if the criticism is in opposition to him.”
Mbappé’s had a quick keep in Stockholm final week, skipping worldwide obligation due to a minor thigh damage as France beat Israel and Belgium in Nations League matches on October 10 and October 14, respectively.
AP
