Kylian Mbappe sues PSG for $300 million over unpaid wages as legal war intensifies with former club
French striker Kylian Mbappe has sued his former club PSG for over $300 million in damages, alleging unpaid wages.
Mbappe, who currently plays for Real Madrid, was once the talisman at PSG and enjoyed great success with the club. However, things started to go downhill after Mbappe expressed his desire to leave the club in the final year of his contract at PSG. The French striker filed a lawsuit against PSG in June this year, accusing the club of not clearing his dues.
Mbappe alleged he was owned €55 million ($63 million) by his former club, who are reigning European champions. However, the France captain has now demanded €260 million ($301 million) from the club, arguing that the fixed-term contract he had with the club, should be reclassified as a permanent one.
If reclassified, the contract will allow Mbappe to demand compensation for unfair dismissal, unpaid wages, bonuses and severance from his former club. The France captain has also sued PSG for moral harassment, and breaches of the club's duty of good faith towards him.
Mbappe spent seven years at PSG after joining the club from local rivals Monaco and went on to establish his credentials as one of the best strikers in the world while being in Paris. He scored 256 goals in 308 games to help PSG continue their domination in Ligue 1. However, he failed to power the club to Champions League glory, which materialised the season after he left.
"Kylian Mbappé is not asking for anything beyond what the law provides; he is simply seeking the enforcement of his legal rights, as any employee would," Mbappe's lawyers said in a statement.
PSG seek $510 million in damages from Mbappe
PSG have not held back and have launched a counter lawsuit against Mbappe, claiming a whopping €440 million ($510 million) in damages from the French striker, accusing him of denying them an opportunity to arrange a transfer for him before he joined Real Madrid as a free agent.
PSG have sued Mbappe for a "loss of opportunity" to complete his transfer to Saudi Club, who reportedly offered a whopping €300 million ($348 million) to the French club to sign the striker. PSG have also demanded compensation from the footballer for breaches of good faith and contract negotiations, as well as the reputational damage caused to club in the ongoing legal proceedings.
The legal war between the two parties is turning out to be one of world football's most pricey battles. An industrial court in France is hearing the matter and is expected to give a verdict in the case next month.