France head coach Didier Deschamps has expressed concern over reports that star forward Kylian Mbappe is being investigated for rape in Sweden, stating that the claims are “not good” for the national team.
Speaking after France’s 2-1 victory against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League on Monday, Deschamps responded to questions about Mbappe, who has been allowed to sit out this month’s matches to focus on fitness. The French captain, who recently joined Real Madrid, is at the centre of controversy following an article in Swedish newspaper Expressen that claimed the 25-year-old is under investigation for rape after a visit to Stockholm.
An initial report by Aftonbladet stated that a rape complaint had been filed in Stockholm, but did not specify the accused. However, Expressen later identified Mbappe as the suspect. In response, Mbappe has denounced the claims as “fake news.”
Deschamps urged caution when dealing with such reports, suggesting that they could create a negative atmosphere around the French national team.
“Everyone is free to write what they want, but there is a negative atmosphere,” he told reporters, adding, “Be careful when you pick things up.”
Deschamps expressed doubt over the report’s credibility, noting, “You had better take a bit of a step back before publishing anything and everything, but these things happen so often. There are things that are not difficult to verify, but if you credit any old thing…
“In any case, I am not going to talk to him about it. He is big enough to know how to communicate.”
Mbappe, who missed France’s recent matches against Israel and Belgium, took to social media to dismiss the report, labelling it as “fake news.” The Real Madrid forward is currently involved in a legal dispute with his former club Paris Saint-Germain over unpaid wages, claiming he is owed €55 million (£47 million).