Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe hits out at reports of rape allegation
The French footballer branded reports he is under investigation for an alleged attack in Stockholm as "fake news". Officials in the city confirmed a probe had been opened but did not identify the suspect.
Tuesday 15 October 2024 22:59, UK
Kylian Mbappe's representatives have hit out at "totally false and irresponsible" accusations after claims the football star is under investigation for an alleged rape.
It follows reports that police in Sweden are looking into allegations made against the Real Madrid forward after he visited Stockholm last week.
Swedish prosecutors have confirmed a probe had been opened into an alleged rape at a hotel in the city, but did not identify the suspect.
In response to the reports, a spokesperson for the player said: "A new slanderous rumour is starting to ignite the web.
"These accusations are totally false and irresponsible, and their propagation is unacceptable."
They added: "Kylian Mbappe will under no circumstances tolerate his integrity, reputation and honour being sullied by unfounded insinuations."
On Monday, the French World Cup winner also posted a link to a French media article related to the reports, alongside the words: "FAKE NEWS".
He added: "It's getting so predictable..."
Swedish public broadcaster SVT, along with newspapers Expressen and Aftonbladet, earlier reported that the 25-year-old was a suspect in the case.
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Mbappe trained with Real Madrid on Tuesday. The club is yet to comment on the reports.
His lawyer Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard told French TV channel TF1 on Tuesday: "We do not know who the complaint is against, I do not know if the complaint is targeting him.
"He is never alone, he is never exposed to a risk-taking situation. It totally excludes that there could have been any reprehensible behaviour on his part. It is an absolute certainty.
"He is serene but flabbergasted by the media frenzy. He does not understand what can be reproached to him."
She added that Mbappe would cooperate with Swedish authorities if he was directly targeted by an investigation, but added: "He has done nothing wrong."
French national team coach Didier Deschamps described the reports as "not a good thing for the French team, obviously," when he was asked about the allegations during a news conference on Monday.