Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe is being investigated for allegations of rape following a visit to the Swedish capital, according to a newspaper report in Sweden.
The French forward took to social media to denounce the reports as “fake news.”
The controversy erupted after Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reported that an alleged rape had been reported to the police, without naming the accused. However, subsequent reports by Expressen newspaper identified Mbappe, 25, as the suspect.
“According to information obtained by Expressen, police are investigating the star who is reasonably suspected of rape and sexual assault,” the newspaper wrote.
Swedish law enforcement differentiates the level of suspicion as either reasonable or probable, with reasonable being the lower degree of suspicion. While the exact level of suspicion against Mbappe remains unclear, his representatives have vehemently denied the allegations.
The incident occurred last Thursday during Mbappe’s visit to Stockholm, where he dined at a restaurant and visited a nightclub with his entourage. The French international was not selected for his country’s latest round of Nations League matches, allowing him to enjoy a personal trip.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mbappe, stated that there was a link between the Aftonbladet report and his hearing before a French league committee on Tuesday in his dispute with his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, over unpaid wages.
Mbappe alleges that the Qatari-owned club owes him 55 million euros ($60 million) in unpaid wages.
“FAKE NEWS !!!!. It’s becoming so predictable, on the eve of the hearing, as if by chance,” Mbappe posted.
