Kylian Mbappe was “shocked” to see his name linked to a Swedish rape investigation, his lawyer told AFP Tuesday.
The France captain, however, is “at ease” because “he has done nothing wrong”, lawyer Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard said.
A Swedish prosecutor said Tuesday that a rape investigation had been opened without mentioning Mbappe, following media reports that the Real Madrid and France star was the suspect following a visit with friends to Stockholm.
Swedish newspapers Aftonbladet and Expressen, and public broadcaster SVT all reported that 25-year-old Mbappe was the target of the investigation, following his two-day visit to the Nordic capital last week.
Mbappe’s lawyer Canu-Bernard said the player was “not aware of the extent of the media frenzy, but is completely calm and does not understand what he could be accused of”.
“He is stunned to hear that it could concern him. He preferred to go to training and asked my office not to leave things as they are because it is impossible to let yourself be slandered and defamed in this way.
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“This is the reason why we are going to file a complaint for libel.”
The lawyer said she could neither confirm nor deny claims in Swedish media that Mbappe was the suspect.
“We read the press,” Canu-Bernard said. “The Stockholm prosecutor’s office issued a statement, but it does not allow us to know whether Kylian Mbappe is the target.
“I therefore have no information allowing me to confirm whether this is indeed a complaint filed against him.”
Kylian Mbappe is being investigated for rape by Swedish police, according to a newspaper report in Sweden following a visit by the Real Madrid star to Stockholm, which Mbappe denounced as “fake news”.
After Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reported that an alleged rape had been reported to police but did not say who was accused, Expressen newspaper said 25-year-old Mbappe was the suspect.
“According to information obtained by Expressen, police are investigating the star who is reasonably suspected of rape and sexual assault,” the newspaper wrote.
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Swedish law enforcement differentiate the level of suspicion as either reasonable or probable, with reasonable being the lower degree of suspicion.
Mbappe’s entourage, when contacted by AFP, said it had no knowledge of a legal complaint made against him.
The French international was not selected for his country’s latest round of Nations League matches, so visited the Swedish capital with a group of people last Thursday.
They dined at a restaurant before going to a nightclub, according to the Aftonbladet report. Mbappe and the group left Sweden on Friday.
The newspaper said a rape was committed “in Stockholm city centre”, citing a formal complaint made to police on Saturday that it had seen.
Aftonbladet said the complaint was filed after the alleged victim had sought medical attention but did not say who was named in the accusation.
Later, Expressen reported that Mbappe was the suspect.
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Mbappe himself claimed in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that there was a link between the Aftonbladet report and his hearing before a French league committee on Tuesday in his bitter dispute with his former club Paris Saint-Germain over what he says are unpaid wages.
Mbappe claims he is owed 55 million euros (A$90 million) by the Qatari-owned French champions.
“FAKE NEWS !!!!. It’s becoming so predictable, on the eve of the hearing, as if by chance,” Mbappe posted.
A prosecutor investigating the accusation told AFP: “A probe is under way into a crime that was reported on October 10 in the centre of Stockholm.”
– ‘Slanderous’ –
Swedish police declined to give any further details.
“In general, if we have received a complaint and decided to conduct interviews and we make it known (to the public), those involved in the case may take actions that delay and complicate the investigation,” said police spokeswoman Carina Skagerlind.
Aftonbladet published photos on its website on Monday showing police officers in front of the hotel where Mbappe and the group with him had stayed.
Mbappe’s entourage said in a statement sent to AFP: “Today, a new slanderous rumour is starting to spread across the web from the Swedish media Aftonbladet.
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“These accusations are completely false and irresponsible, and their propagation is unacceptable.
“In order to put an end to this methodical destruction of (the) image (of Kylian Mbappe), all necessary legal action will be taken to re-establish the truth and pursue any person or media involved in the moral harassment and defamatory treatment that Kylian Mbappe is suffering repeatedly,” the statement added.
A source close to Paris Saint-Germain told AFP it would “ignore” Mbappe’s claim that there was a link between the report in Sweden and his dispute with the club.
Mbappe joined Madrid in the summer after seven years at PSG. He has become one of the world’s highest paid players after a stellar career. He joined Pele as the only teenager to score in a World Cup final when France beat Croatia 4-2 to win the 2018 edition and was voted Best Young Player of the tournament.
Four years later in Qatar, he scored a hat-trick in the final against Argentina but finished on the losing side as Lionel Messi’s side won in a penalty shootout.
Well, we’ve reached the end of 2023 and what a year it’s been in football.
The Matildas made it all the way to the semi finals of a home World Cup, Ange Postecoglou took the Premier League by storm and Lionel Messi swerved Saudi Arabia to take up a lucrative deal with Inter Miami.
That’s just a snippet of what’s transpired, but what can we look forward to in 2024?
So glad you asked, because there’s a fair bit that we think is going to happen.
In our 23 predictions for 2023, we (rather miraculously) correctly predicted eight events to happen, which isn’t a terrible strike rate.
So, Foxsports.com.au has once again pulled out the crystal ball and gazed into the future for what is about to transpire in 2024.
When Thanos snapped his fingers in Avengers: Endgame and said, “I am inevitable”, he wasn’t talking about himself.
No, he was in fact talking about Manchester City.
Although Pep Guardiola’s side are in fourth and five points off league leaders Liverpool albeit with a game in hand, they have an uncanny ability to step up the pace just as their rivals take their foot off the pedal.
So don’t act shocked when it’s City who raise the Premier League trophy at the end of the season for a fourth consecutive season.
2. Luton Town survive
If only for Kenilworth Road to remain in the rotation of Premier League stadiums.
But also because Luton are a beacon of hope in an increasingly commercialised sport.
Come on you Hatters!
3. England win EURO 2024
This will be Gareth Southgate’s fourth major tournament as England boss and we believe it will be his most successful.
If not for a masterful performance from Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the penalty shootout at EURO 2020, England would have won it.
But Southgate finally ends the trophy drought and England has a true summer to remember.
Gareth Southgate’s going to end England’s wait for an international trophy. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
4. San Marino wins its first international match since 2004
Every year that passes without a San Marino win means we are predicting La Serenissima to end the wait.
In fact, 2024 could be San Marino’s best chance to win a game for the first time in 20 years as they face the irresistible force that is St Kitts and Nevis across two friendlies early next year.
Book in that sick leave for the 20th and 24th of March to watch San Marino win a game, it’ll be worth it.
5. The Matildas make it to the final of the Olympics
The Matildas made the semi final stage of the Tokyo Olympics and then the semi finals at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
But the Paris Olympics are going to be the tournament where it all finally comes together as the current group enjoy one last dance to take home some silverware before the youngsters take over.
6. Harry Kane wins the Champions League with Bayern Munich
Although Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga hopes aren’t exactly signed, sealed and delivered just yet, Harry Kane should look towards the Champions League.
No team has really put their hand up as serious contenders in Europe’s premier club competition and Bayern could be primed to take full advantage.
Surely the football gods will finally smile down on Kane and help him finally secure a respectable club trophy.
7. Ange Postecoglou guides Tottenham back to Europe
We didn’t say if it was the Champions League, the Europa League or the Europa Conference League.
All we know is that Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham will be back competing on the continent next season.
Ange Postecoglou is going to bring European nights back to Tottenham, but in which competition? (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
8. The Socceroos make it to the final of the Asian Cup
After impressive performances against Mexico, England and New Zealand, the Socceroos are primed for a deep run at the Asian Cup.
Whether they win it all for the second time remains a mystery, but we’re anticipating Graham Arnold’s side will at the very least be one of the final two teams left standing.
9. Italy get knocked out in the group stage of EURO 2024
What would a major international tournament be without one of the big guns being bundled out at the first hurdle?
Unfortunately for Italy, it’s going to happen again.
The defending European champs are in Group B alongside Spain and Croatia, who we think will take up the top two spots.
Albania rounds out the group and although third spot has a chance to make the knockouts based on their overall ranking, Italy simply won’t have enough in the bank as they crash out with two defeats and a draw.
10. Alex Robertson makes his Premier League debut
What a year 2023 was for Alex Robertson.
He made his Socceroos debut against Ecuador in front of his friends and family in Sydney and is now proving himself a vital player for Portsmouth in their bid for promotion to the Championship.
After helping Pompey return to the second tier of English football for the first time since the 2011/12 season, Robertson will return to his parent club Manchester City.
And at the start of the 2024/25 campaign, expect to see the talented midfielder stroll on to the field in the famous sky blue of City.
11. The record for most expensive transfer is broken … by Chelsea
As it stands, Neymar’s £198 million switch from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain is the most expensive transfer in history.
But wait … here comes Chelsea owner Todd Boehly with a briefcase full of cash and he’s about to hand it over to Napoli!
And who’s that about to hold up a Chelsea shirt at Stamford Bridge … is that … Victor Osimhen?!
The prospect of a £200 million deal for the Nigerian superstar feels almost too real.
Todd Boehly’s going to break the bank for Chelsea once again. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP
12. Jude Bellingham wins the Ballon d’Or
We knew Jude Bellingham was something special before his move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid.
But the 20-year-old has not been fazed by the bright lights of the Santiago Bernabeu one bit and, if anything, has thrived under them.
It’s why the English midfielder will prove himself to be the best player in the world when awards season rolls around next year after he single-handedly drags the Three Lions to EURO 2024 glory.
13. Massimo Luongo becomes a Premier League player as Ipswich Town get promoted
Massimo Luongo was once on the books of a Premier League club at Tottenham Hotspur but now, he’s going to become a Premier League player.
Luongo is enjoying a starring role at Ipswich Town and the Tractor Boys are looking extremely likely to achieve the rare feat of two consecutive promotions.
It would be a remarkable feat for Kieran McKenna’s side but it’s nothing less than they deserve having taken the Championship by storm this season.
14. Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League
Unai Emery is cooking something special at Aston Villa this season.
Unbeaten at home and in third place, Villa look poised to take advantage of a number of rivals (cough – Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle – cough) stumbling over their own two feet.
All they need is to finish fourth and at this stage, it’s a very realistic prospect.
15. Kylian Mbappe stays in France
Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid are like the two friends who refuse to date despite being the perfect match for each other and everyone in their group knows it.
Unfortunately for those romantics, they won’t get the relationship they want to see as Mbappe gains Stockholm syndrome and decides life at PSG isn’t so bad after all.
A time will come when the French superstar will form a happy union with Real Madrid, but that won’t happen just yet.
Kylian Mbappe won’t be moving to Spain just yet. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Source: AFP
16. Nestory Irankunda makes his debut for Bayern Munich … in a friendly
Every pre-season, Bayern Munich decide to absolutely decimate a local German team in a friendly.
You know, the ones when you see a score of something like 18-0 on social media and think ‘holy cow, how good do Bayern look’, only to search the team they played are entirely comprised of part-timers?
Well, this is where Irankunda makes his mark and gets in on the act when he runs his opposition number — Klaus, a 27-year-old local milkman — ragged before unleashing an unstoppable strike past the helpless goalkeeper to put the result beyond doubt.
Cue the iconic Irankunda backflip.
17. Girona qualify for the Champions League
Much like Aston Villa in the Premier League, Girona have surprisingly found themselves in the top spots of La Liga.
In fact, Girona are behind league leaders Real Madrid only on goal difference and are seven points ahead of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, who are third and fourth respectively.
However, dreams of playing in the Champions League aren’t exactly a forgone conclusion given Girona are part of the City Football Group, the owners of Manchester City.
UEFA rules prevent two clubs owned by the same entity playing in European competitions so this could become a sticky situation but for now, let the good times roll for Girona.
18. Cristian Volpato pledges his international allegiance to the Socceroos
It’s the big fish Arnie wants and his relentless persistence finally pays off.
With the Socceroos essentially guaranteed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup thanks to an expanded 48-team competition, Volpato won’t need to worry about the Aussies missing out altogether.
19. Xabi Alonso gets poached by a European heavyweight
Xabi Alonso is already making waves as Bayer Leverkusen manager and has the team sitting top of the Bundesliga.
No doubt all of Europe’s big boys are keeping a keen eye on what the Spaniard is doing in Germany and if the time comes, don’t be surprised to see Alonso move on to pastures new.
It’s just a question of who’s willing to take the plunge.
Xabi Alonso is quickly emerging as one of the top managers in football. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
20. Kusini Yengi emerges as the Socceroos’ starting striker
Ever since Tim Cahill’s retirement, the Socceroos haven’t quite had a figure to turn to when they desperately need a goal.
Mitch Duke is the man largely entrusted with leading the line for the Socceroos, but it’s his remarkable fitness levels and pressing ability that makes him stand out more than his goal threat.
Throw in the fact that Duke is 32 and the need for a fresh presence up top grows even larger.
That’s where Yengi, a 24-year-old at Portsmouth comes in.
Yengi has had to improve his physicality playing in the rough-and-tumble League One but has shown a solid turn of pace and can also hold the ball up well.
It’s why Yengi will be the answer to the Socceroos’ goalscoring woes for years to come.
21. Pep Guardiola announces he will leave Manchester City at the end of the 2024/25 season
Nothing in life can last forever and unfortunately for Manchester City fans, the same goes for Pep Guardiola’s time at the club.
The Spaniard has overseen a remarkable amount of success and has won every trophy there is to win at club level for City.
Who knows what the future will hold for Guardiola, or City for that matter.
22. Wrexham make it to the League Two play-off final … but lose a penalty shootout
There’s nothing quite like a play-off match at Wembley and for Wrexham, they’ll have the chance to achieve back-to-back promotions.
A play-off win would be yet another perfect Hollywood script for Wrexham but football is a cruel, cruel game.
It’ll at least make for must-watch viewing in the next season of Welcome to Wrexham though.
23. A Saudi Arabian club launch an ambitious offer for Erling Haaland
If you don’t buy a ticket to the show, you’ll never know.
Yes, the bid will be knocked back by Manchester City as quickly as it arrived in their inbox.
But you can’t fault a Saudi club for trying.
24. A team wears a full body paint kit in a wild publicity stunt
Any publicity is good publicity, right?
We’re not sure which team will be bold enough/sell out to pull off such a stunt, but it’s going to happen sooner rather than later.
Defender Alanna Kennedy will miss the Matildas’ FIFA Women’s World Cup playoff for third place against Sweden at Suncorp Stadiumdue to delayed concussion, the reason she missed Australia’s 3-1 semi-final loss to England.
At the time, the reason given for her unavailability was due to “illness”.
However, a Matildas spokesperson on Friday said Kennedy had been since been diagnosed with delayed concussion due to an incidentin Australia’s quarter-final win over France last Saturday.
Alanna Kennedy of the Matildas. Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFPSource: AFP
As a result, her tournament is over. Kennedy is the fourth Matildas player to be concussed during the tournament, the othersbeing Mary Fowler, Aivi Luik and Charlotte Grant.
Kennedy still attended Matildas training on Friday at Perry Park, but was separate from the team as he she walked around thefield with a member of Australia’s medical staff.
There was a mix of laughter and sadness at the session, with the Australians still coming to terms with their loss to England.
The Matildas were a much more relaxed group as they gathered for a team photo before the start of training.
However, the expressions on some of the players faces as they waited for the photo to be taken, including captain Sam Kerr,suggested there were still feelings of what might have been had they beaten England and progressed to Sunday’s final.
Once the photo was taken, the players shared some jokes before embarking on a warm-up lap of the field.
— Marco Monteverde, NCA Newswire
CLASSY ACT MELTS HEARTS AFTER MATILDAS EXIT
Unless there is an uncharacteristic outbreak of hostility and flurry of red cards in Sunday’s final, opposing players consoling each other after games will be among the enduring images of the Women’s World Cup.
England, who face Spain in the final in Sydney, have been notably quick to approach their emotional opponents after the final whistle to offer a heartwarming hug and words of sympathy.
The European champions dealt out some rough treatment to Australia’s skipper Sam Kerr in defeating the co-hosts 3-1 in their semi-final on Wednesday in front of 75,000 in Sydney.
But after the final whistle the Lionesses players and staff consoled an emotional Kerr, who plays in England for Chelsea and is one of the most respected forwards around.
Images of England players rushing over to commiserate with Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie after defeating the African side on penalties in the last 16 were shared widely online.
England midfielder Keira Walsh said it was not something the players had made a conscious decision to do.
It was the result of an ethos established by coach Sarina Wiegman about remaining humble and respectful in victory.
“We all know the feeling of being knocked out of a World Cup and it’s one of the worst feelings in the world,” Barcelona’s Walsh said.
“When you can see fellow players who are really upset, I think the natural human thing is just to go over and see if they are OK.
“I’d like to think that most people would do the same in that situation.”
Sam Kerr of Australia is consoled by Niamh Charles of England. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Pictures of Sweden defender Jonna Andersson hugging a distraught Maika Hamano of Japan after their quarter-final were also widely shared online.
“I got sad because I saw she was sad,” Andersson told reporters in Auckland after Sweden’s victory.
“I hope it was important for her to feel that support, I know she has that support from the national team and the club team.
“I wanted to show her that I care about her, she’s a fantastic person.” The two players know each other well from club football, where both played this season for Hammarby in Stockholm.
There were similar scenes on Tuesday, when the tables were turned and the Swedes left in tears after Spain won 2-1 in their semi-final.
Spain’s players comforted a tearful Fridolina Rolfo, the Swedish forward who plays for Barcelona and was up against several club colleagues.
Dream OVER as Tillies tumble out | 00:32
Julie Dolan, the first captain of Australia’s Matildas, in 1979, noted that similar happens in the men’s game, but not to the same extent.
“It’s how to win graciously, I guess,” she told AFP.
“It’s a wonderful thing to see.”
Pundits say it has been one of the endearing features of a World Cup that will already go down as the best-attended and be remembered for a series of shock results.
“That has been one of the most heartwarming things about this tournament,” former Australia international turned broadcaster Grace Gill said.
“Because as much joy and elation as there is for the winners of the game, they’re so quick to turn their attention to make sure their friends, ultimately, are OK.
“To offer them a little bit of support in that moment is really touching to see.”
AMERICAN COACH’S EXIT CONFIRMED
United States women’s team head coach Vlatko Andonovski has resigned after the side’s disappointing World Cup campaign, U.S. Soccer said in a statement on Thursday.
Twila Kilgore, who has worked as assistant coach for the past 18 months, has been named interim head coach while the search for a replacement takes place.
“It’s been the honour of my life to coach the talented, hardworking players of the USWNT for the past four years,” said Andonovski.
“I’m very optimistic for the future of this program, especially considering all the young players that got opportunities over the past few years who will no doubt be leaders and impact players moving forward.
“While we are all disappointed by the outcome at this year’s World Cup, I am immensely proud of the progress this team has made,” he added.
USA’s coach Vlatko Andonovski. Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFPSource: AFP
The USA were eliminated in the last 16 by Sweden after a penalty shootout, the earliest the team has ever departed from a World Cup.
The Americans had won the previous two World Cups, in 2015 and 2019 with Jill Ellis in charge of the team.
Andonovski, an American citizen who was born in North Macedonia, took over the team in October 2019 having made his name in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Under Andonovski the USA won a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics after losing to eventual champions Canada in the semi-finals.
“All of us at U.S. Soccer thank Vlatko for his dedication to our Women’s National Team over the past four years,” said U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker.
“Vlatko worked tirelessly for this team and has been a strong and positive leader for our women’s program. We’re grateful for everything he has contributed to U.S. Soccer and know he has a bright future in the sport,” he said.
The federation said that Crocker has been conducting a review of the women’s program and he will now head the search for a new head coach.
The next coach is likely to lead a change of generation with 38-year-old Megan Rapinoe retiring and 34-year-old Alex Morgan and 35-year-old Kelley O’Hara entering the latter stages of their careers.
While there is plenty of young talent expected to be ready for the 2027 World Cup, the immediate task will be to get the team in shape for the Paris Olympics next year.
