Paris returned to the centre of Kylian Mbappé’s week on 30 September, but not for the nightclub outing that later drew attention. The Real Madrid forward was questioned by police as part of the investigation involving Mohamed “Momo” Sanhadji, the French national team’s security chief.
The move
Mbappé was interviewed at the offices of the IGPN, France’s police watchdog, on 30 September. His mother, Fayza Lamari, subsequently appeared before three investigating magistrates in Paris on Friday 9 October.
Lamari was not placed under formal investigation. However, she was given assisted-witness status, a legal position used for a named person against whom there are indications of possible involvement, but insufficient serious or consistent evidence for a formal charge.
Investigators are examining allegations that Lamari asked Sanhadji to help secure four visa applications. The proceedings remain an investigation and neither Mbappé nor Lamari has been charged in the material described.
Sanhadji was formally charged on 16 September with a series of alleged offences, including receiving misappropriated public funds, active and passive corruption involving a public official, and influence peddling, including an international element.
The case began after Sanhadji received a cheque for €60,300 from Mbappé, paid from the player’s 2022 World Cup bonus. Authorities are also seeking to establish whether the security officer accompanied Mbappé and his family on a later trip to Cameroon for private work outside his duties as a police officer.
The French season around it
Mbappé, captain of France, is among several public figures questioned over their alleged use of Sanhadji’s services. The investigation is examining whether favours or money were provided to the official by members of the national-team environment, including Mbappé.
- Kylian Mbappé, France captain and Real Madrid forward
- Fayza Lamari, Mbappé’s mother
- Mohamed “Momo” Sanhadji, France team security chief
- Franck Ribéry
- Noël Le Graët
- Philippe Diallo
- Jamel Debbouze
Ribéry, former French Football Federation president Le Graët, federation president Diallo and entertainer Debbouze have also been interviewed as people suspected of benefiting from Sanhadji’s assistance. The inquiries continue into the nature of those services and whether they were compatible with his public role.
