Kylian Mbappe donations land five police officers in trouble as investigation opens over €180k payments from Real Madrid star

According to Le Canard Enchaine, the French superstar Mbappe is at the centre of an unexpected controversy after reportedly donating €180,300from his World Cup bonus to five police officers who protected the French team during Qatar 2022. Four riot officers received €30,000 each, while their commander was gifted €60,300. Though the Real Madrid forward insists the payments were legal and made out of gratitude, French financial watchdog Tracfin flagged the transfers, prompting an internal police investigation and wider scrutiny over the transaction's legality and tax declarations.

While Mbappe’s gesture appears rooted in goodwill, the case highlights a legal grey area regarding private donations to public servants. The donations were made from an account in Monaco and were reportedly backed by a signed letter from Mbappe himself. However, the manner in which the officers declared, or failed to declare, the money has raised alarms within France’s financial and judicial authorities. The investigation could pose reputational risks amid his high-profile move to Real Madrid. Mbappe has a history of donating his France match bonuses to charity, but the commander who received the largest sum is also under scrutiny for accompanying the French international on trips to Cameroon and Vaucluse.

The development centres on Mbappe’s well-known habit of donating his earnings from national team duty to causes or individuals he believes deserve recognition. After the 2022 World Cup, where France finished as runners-up, he pledged to donate his entire tournament bonus as a gesture of appreciation. This included not only charitable organisations like Premiers de Cordee but also the security team that protected the squad in Qatar.

The recent revelation that five police officers received sizeable payments from Mbappe triggered concern from Tracfin, which monitors unusual or potentially suspicious financial activity. As a result, the IGPN (General Inspectorate of the National Police) launched an administrative investigation and informed the public prosecutor, largely due to the unusual nature and amount of money involved.

The officers in question reportedly presented a signed certificate from Mbappe stating his deliberate decision to reward them with a portion of his World Cup bonus. His entourage insists everything was done transparently, in compliance with regulations, and that the star forward is ready to cooperate fully with investigators. For now, the scrutiny appears focused more on whether the recipients declared the money properly than on Mbappe himself.

While not the target of any criminal probe, Mbappe may face ongoing media and legal attention as the French authorities assess whether the police officers breached ethical or tax protocols. His legal standing appears protected due to clear documentation, but the fallout could influence future regulations around gifting in elite sport. For now, the Madrid hero will aim to refocus on his debut season at the Santiago Bernabeu while keeping a low profile off the pitch.