On Tuesday, Swedish prosecutors confirmed they had opened a rape investigation in Stockholm, although they did not directly name Real Madrid and France football star Kylian Mbappe. This development follows media reports from Swedish outlets such as Aftonbladet, Expressen, and the public broadcaster SVT, which claimed that the 25-year-old footballer was the suspect after a recent visit to the Swedish capital.
According to the Swedish Prosecution Authority, the alleged incident took place at a hotel in central Stockholm on October 10, but no official suspect was named, and further details were withheld due to the sensitive nature of the investigation. The Authority’s statement read, “In response to media reports about a suspected rape in Stockholm, the prosecutor can confirm that a criminal report has been submitted to the police.”
Alleged Incident at Upscale Hotel
The alleged rape reportedly occurred at the upscale Bank Hotel, located in the heart of Stockholm. Expressen, one of the first outlets to report on the case, claimed that Mbappe was “reasonably suspected” of rape and sexual assault, which in Sweden represents the lower of two levels of suspicion. The higher level, referred to as “probable cause,” is usually required for remanding a suspect in custody before charges are formally pressed.
The media coverage intensified as both Aftonbladet and SVT corroborated Expressen’s claim that Mbappe was indeed under investigation, based on anonymous sources. However, as of Tuesday, neither the Swedish authorities nor Mbappe’s representatives had confirmed these reports. Mbappe’s entourage, when contacted by AFP on Monday, stated they had no knowledge of any legal complaint filed against him.
Mbappe’s Visit to Stockholm and Details of the Complaint
Kylian Mbappe visited Stockholm last week, a break from his usual football commitments as he was not part of France’s latest Nations League squad. During his two-day stay in the Swedish capital, Mbappe and his companions dined at a local restaurant and later went to a nightclub. The group left Sweden on Friday, according to Aftonbladet.
It was reported that the rape complaint was filed on Saturday after the alleged victim sought medical assistance. Swedish authorities have reportedly seized some clothing items as evidence in the case, including women’s underwear, a pair of black trousers, and a black top, as reported by Expressen.
Mbappe Denies Allegations Amid Bitter PSG Dispute
On Monday, as media reports intensified, Mbappe took to social media to deny the allegations. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he appeared to link the Swedish reports to his ongoing dispute with his former club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), over unpaid wages. Mbappe was set to appear before a French league committee on Tuesday to address this issue.
“FAKE NEWS!!!! It’s becoming so predictable, on the eve of the hearing, as if by chance,” Mbappe wrote, expressing his frustration over the timing of the allegations.
The rape investigation in Sweden is still in its early stages, and with no official suspect named, it remains unclear what steps the Swedish authorities will take next. The allegations have added to the already tumultuous situation surrounding Mbappe, whose legal battle with PSG has kept him in the headlines in recent months.
As more details emerge, the football world will be closely watching how this investigation unfolds, especially given Mbappe’s status as one of the most high-profile players in international football. However, for now, the Swedish Prosecution Authority has maintained a level of discretion, stating that no further information would be released until the investigation progresses.
