PSG Accused of Using Financial Threats to Retain Kylian Mbappé in 2022
PARIS – Paris Saint-Germain stands accused of employing coercive psychological tactics, including threats of widespread job losses, to persuade Kylian Mbappé to remain with the club in 2022, according to recent statements from his mother, Fayza Lamari. the allegations center on intense pressure exerted on Mbappé’s family during contract negotiations, revealing a potentially manipulative strategy employed by PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi and club officials.
The revelation comes as scrutiny intensifies around Al-Khelaifi’s leadership and PSG’s methods for retaining star players. The accusations, made public on September 11, 2025, by Lamari, a former handball champion, detail how PSG allegedly leveraged the financial implications of Mbappé’s potential departure to influence his decision. This incident underscores the immense financial and political stakes surrounding one of the world’s most valuable football clubs and it’s key players.
According to Lamari, PSG representatives communicated that Mbappé leaving woudl trigger a significant decrease in television revenue.This downturn, they warned, would necessitate ample staff reductions throughout the association. “They told us that if the striker leaves the team, the revenue from television broadcasting would shrink. This would mean the dismissal of many employees,” Lamari explained.
Lamari stated this pressure was the sole reason her son ultimately chose to stay with PSG.The 51-year-old Al-Khelaifi, a Qatari businessman, has overseen a period of significant investment and ambition at PSG, aiming to establish the club as a dominant force in European football. Mbappé, 25, has been central to those ambitions, becoming the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.
The allegations raise questions about the ethical boundaries of player retention strategies in professional sports and could prompt further inquiry into PSG’s practices. It remains to be seen whether these claims will lead to any formal repercussions for the club or its leadership.
