Gambiaj.com – (PARIS, France) – The French Football Federation (FFF) has denied Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) request to reconsider a directive from the Professional Football League (LFP) requiring the club to pay €55 million in unpaid salaries and bonuses to its former star player, Kylian Mbappé. The decision was revealed to AFP on Friday by a source familiar with the matter.

PSG’s appeal to the FFF Executive Committee was deemed invalid after being filed one day past the 10-day deadline, which had started following the LFP’s joint appeals committee ruling in Mbappé’s favor on October 25.

Although PSG reportedly held minimal expectations for a favorable outcome, the rejection on procedural grounds was unexpected. The LFP’s legal bodies had consistently upheld the decision, leaving the FFF with little room to overturn it.

Background of the Dispute

The conflict stems from an agreement reached in August 2023, after tensions arose between Mbappé and PSG’s management. The French national team captain had been sidelined from the squad for refusing to extend his contract, which would have allowed the club to secure a transfer fee before he signed with Real Madrid for free this summer.

As part of the agreement, Mbappé reportedly waived his claim to €55 million in bonuses if he left PSG without a transfer fee. However, the validity of this agreement is now under dispute, with Mbappé’s camp contesting its enforceability.

In September, the LFP’s legal commission recommended mediation between the two parties, but this effort failed due to Mbappé’s refusal. The commission subsequently ordered PSG to pay the disputed sum within a week. PSG appealed the decision, but after it was rejected, the club escalated the matter to the FFF’s Executive Committee.

Next Steps for PSG

Following the FFF’s rejection, PSG is exploring its remaining legal options. These could include appealing to the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) or pursuing the matter in an administrative court. Sources close to the club indicate that the dispute may ultimately be resolved before an industrial tribunal if Mbappé decides to escalate the matter.

For now, PSG has remained tight-lipped about its next course of action. However, the club has reportedly been meticulous in exhausting all available procedures, suggesting that the high-stakes legal battle is far from over.

This decision marks the latest chapter in a saga that has strained relations between PSG and one of its most prominent former players, leaving lingering questions about the interpretation and validity of high-profile contractual agreements in professional football.