Kylian Mbappe sacked: a confrontation lost in advance by PSG?

What if this time it was already impossible to fix them? Hidden for several months, the conflict between Kylian Mbappe and PSG reached its climax on Friday, July 21, when the Parisian club decided decisively to dismiss him from the Asian summer tour (July 23 – August 3). Although the player confirmed his intention to honor the contract until its expiration, that is, on June 30, 2024, the French champions do not hear that. To prevent the Blues’ captain from leaving Paris next summer for free, they are insisting that he extend his loan or leave now in exchange for a transfer fee. But neither the warnings nor the ultimatums of President Nasser Al-Khelaifi resonated with the world vice-champion.

While Kyks sticks to its position, the capital club, suspecting that the latter already has an agreement with Real Madrid for the summer of 2024, has chosen a strong technique, depriving him of a trip to Japan and South Korea. A side effect that materialized this weekend. Present on the PSG campus, Kylian Mbappe trained on Saturday 22 July with the “lofters”, a small group of unwanted players (Giorginio Wijnaldum, Abdou Diallo, Julian Draxler…). And it was with a wide smile, showing nothing, that he appeared in front of the gates of the training center. He even took the time to sign autographs and take selfies with a dozen fans.

A grotesque situation that could go on. At least once. “This is a war of attrition”commented on Monday, July 24, at the RMC microphone, Philippe Pia, who heads the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP), responsible for protecting the rights and interests of players playing in France. “The regulatory situation allows the club to dispose of its staff as it wants. After September 1 (the closing date of the summer transfer window – ed. note), everything should return. It’s a coincidence that the transfer window ends on September 1st. This allows the club to manage its staff up to a certain point.”

“No restrictions are imposed on the management of the workforce” before this date, “In addition to the fact that all players who have concluded a professional contract can enjoy the conditions of preparation and training” the same as their teammates, according to article 507 of the football regulations. In other words, nothing prevents the Parisian club from leaving Kylian Mbappe on the sidelines of their professional group, integrating him into the “loft”, although this practice is displeased by the players’ union.

On the other hand, what will happen on September 2 if the best player in Ligue 1 is not reinstated? “After that, the club can’t do what they want”warned the UNFP boss, reminding PSG of his obligations if he persisted in using methods to prevent the international tricolor from practicing his profession. “If both sides have not agreed on a way out of the crisis, we will have to demand compliance with the texts. The respect for the lyrics is to let Mbappe train normally, perhaps to force the club to let him play because otherwise it would be persecution. It will become illegal in terms of labor law. It cannot be assumed that this is not for reasons of sanctions.”

After September 1, Paris can always transfer Kylian Mbappe to another group, provided that he “composed of at least 10 players with a professional, elite or trainee contract” and under supervision “a coach with a federal diploma under the supervision of a coach of a club with a BEPF or BEFF”. But this alienation “must be done temporarily for purely sporting reasons related to manpower management”clarifies the football regulations.

Thus, PSG will have no choice but to reinstate him and let him play under pain of being outlawed. Spending it in the stands for the entire season can be costly for the capital club. “Procedures will be implemented“, assured Philippe Pia, calling “penalties if a player is excluded from the game for unsportsmanlike reasons”.

As explained by Cadena SER, who contacted an expert in sports law, a long-term suspension of the Bondi native from participation in competitions would be contrary to labor laws. Thus, the Paris Club will be subject to sanctions. The French Football Federation (FFF) may take tough financial measures. In the meantime, the player can sue. The latter could have ruled in his favor, going so far as to unilaterally release him from the final year of his contract while providing him with financial compensation. There is no doubt that at PSG we will think twice about this so as not to lose face.