Football: The connections between Mbappé and his mother with the former security chief of the French national team are being examined by judicial authorities.
Fayza Lamari, the mother of Kylian Mbappé, has been placed under the status of assisted witness in the case involving former French national team security chief Mohamed Sanhadji, who faces corruption allegations. This case has led to the questioning of several prominent figures in the football world.
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To obtain several visas for members of her entourage, Fayza Lamari repeatedly sought help from Sanhadji, who was then a police officer and head of security at the French Football Federation (FFF) since 2004.
Following these events, the mother of the French captain was heard by investigating judges on Friday and was placed under the status of assisted witness, a more favorable situation than being indicted, a source close to the case told AFP, confirming information from the newspaper l'Equipe.
Kylian Mbappé was also questioned by investigators from the IGPN (General Inspectorate of the National Police) on September 30, according to two sources.
Contacted by AFP, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard, the lawyer for Fayza Lamari and the Real Madrid forward, declined to comment.
The justice system accuses Mohamed Sanhadji of having received several payments from players in exchange for services rendered while he was serving as a police officer. This is why he has been indicted, particularly for corruption of public officials.
He is also facing charges for “concealment of embezzlement of public funds,” “active influence peddling on public officials,” as well as fraud and money laundering.
One particular payment is under scrutiny: a donation of €60,300 from Kylian Mbappé. Following this payment, which came from the 2022 World Cup bonus, "Momo," as he is nicknamed by his teammates, traveled to Cameroon with the French forward he is close to during a private trip.
This “gift for use” of €60,300 was reported by a banker to Tracfin, the financial intelligence unit of Bercy, in July 2024, leading to the opening of a judicial investigation for concealed work and money laundering.
An investigation was opened in January. The inquiries continue, and another official has also been indicted in this case, according to the source.
Multiple hearings: Deschamps, Diallo...
Head of security for the French national team from 2004 to December 2025, Mohamed Sanhadji had to take early retirement from the national police after receiving a large check in 2023 without informing his superiors.
Well-liked by players and the Federation, he was subsequently directly recruited by the FFF to assist the Blues during the World Cup this summer.
“The Federation does not comment on ongoing judicial proceedings, but will draw consequences regarding the individual and will become a civil party,” a source from the FFF assured in September, which is also at the center of this case, along with several players from the French team.
In recent weeks, several figures from French football have been questioned without being prosecuted, such as former coach Didier Deschamps or FFF president Philippe Diallo, according to a source.
Additionally, according to Canard Enchaîné and l'Equipe, police officers may have also benefited from advantages granted by Sanhadji, such as stays at the Clairefontaine estate, the gathering place for the Blues.
This development comes as Mbappé has ended his collaboration with his long-time lawyer Delphine Verheyden, who did not handle criminal matters but managed his contracts or, more recently, his financial dispute with PSG.
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