Mbappé questioned by IGPN in Sanhadji affair, his mother placed under assisted witness status

Kylian Mbappé was questioned by investigators from the Inspection générale de la Police nationale (IGPN) on September 30 in Paris in connection with the case against Mohamed Sanhadji, former head of security for the France national team. His presence in the capital, despite being injured, had fueled speculation in the Spanish press — the explanation was in fact judicial.

Investigators are seeking to establish the exact nature of financial benefits granted to the former police commander. Among the elements examined is a donation of €60,300 made in June 2023, drawn from World Cup bonuses from Qatar. One month after this payment, Sanhadji accompanied Mbappé on a family trip to Cameroon, raising questions about a privately remunerated mission outside his official role. The IGPN is also investigating a €120,000 loan that the officer allegedly requested by citing false financial difficulties, as well as the coverage of personal expenses by the player’s entourage.

Mbappé is not the only one to have been summoned. A series of personalities from football and entertainment appeared before investigators, including Franck Ribéry, comedian Jamel Debbouze, former French Football Federation president Noël Le Graët and his successor Philippe Diallo.

Last Friday, Fayza Lamari, the player’s mother, appeared before the three investigating judges handling the case in Paris. Following her hearing, she avoided being formally charged but was placed under assisted witness status — an intermediate decision indicating the existence of evidence making her participation in the facts plausible, without serious and consistent evidence having been retained at this stage. She is notably accused of having requested Sanhadji’s intervention to facilitate the obtaining of four visas for relatives. She is represented by Mᵉ Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard, who also defends her son.

Mohamed Sanhadji was formally charged on September 16 with corruption, fraud and money laundering.