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Mbappé and his mother at the centre of investigation into former security officer

The IGPN is investigating Mohamed Sanhadji, former security chief for the French national team, suspected of obtaining over €300,000 from several international players. Kylian Mbappé and his mother Fayza Lamari are central to the case, which has led to raids and charges.

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Mbappé and his mother at the centre of investigation into former security officer
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Kylian Mbappé and his mother Fayza Lamari are at the centre of a financial and disciplinary investigation conducted by the IGPN, revealed by L’Équipe, targeting Mohamed Sanhadji — known as “Momo” — the former security officer of the French Football Federation. Charged on 16 September 2026 with corruption and fraud, Sanhadji is suspected of obtaining over €300,000 from several French international players between 2020 and 2024.

The case stems from a donation of €180,300 attributed to Mbappé intended for five police officers following the World Cup in Qatar. Sanhadji allegedly received the largest share — €60,300 — without declaring it to the tax authorities, drawing the attention of Tracfin, the French financial intelligence unit. Investigators subsequently uncovered a broader scheme: gifts in kind, paid holidays and repeated financial requests from several France squad players.

Central to the case is a loan of €120,000 that Sanhadji allegedly obtained directly from Mbappé, paid through Fayza Lamari, ostensibly to cover fictitious financial difficulties intended to finance a property transaction. The player’s mother also allegedly covered personal expenses for the officer, including dental fees.

Messages exchanged between Sanhadji and Fayza Lamari, cited in the investigation, illustrate the nature of this relationship: “I will always be there”, “For the family, I would go to war if needed”, “I have waited for the Chosen One all my life, and he is beside me”. Beyond financial flows, the former police commander allegedly provided numerous services to the Mbappé family — securing a residence, facilitating visa applications, emergency hospitalisation of a relative — and even served as an intermediary with Didier Deschamps to advocate for Rayan Cherki’s selection.

Early tensions around Sanhadji date back to summer 2023, when his presence alongside Mbappé during a private trip to Cameroon raised questions within the National Police Directorate about this blurring of lines. These revelations have since led to targeted raids at the FFF headquarters and at Fayza Lamari’s home.

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