Spanish league to file complaint over PSG’s new Mbappé deal

By: Tales Azzoni, The Associated Press Posted: 2:40 PM CDT Saturday, May. 21, 2022 Last Modified: 2:40 PM CDT Saturday, May. 21, 2022

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MADRID (AP) — The Spanish league will file a complaint against Paris Saint-Germain over the renewal of Kylian Mbappé's contract, saying the “scandalous" agreement attacks the economic stability of European soccer.

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This article was published 21/05/2022 (1596 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MADRID (AP) — The Spanish league will file a complaint against Paris Saint-Germain over the renewal of Kylian Mbappé’s contract, saying the “scandalous” agreement attacks the economic stability of European soccer.

The league’s announcement on Saturday came after Mbappé’s decision to stay with PSG instead of joining Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid.

The league said in a statement it will file the complaint to UEFA, the European Union and French administrative and fiscal authorities to “defend the economic ecosystem of European football and its sustainability.”

PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, left, reacts as PSG's Kylian Mbappe , right, who waves to the crowd as it is announced he has signed a three year extension to his contract on the pitch ahead of the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Metz at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, Saturday, May 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)

The league said the agreement puts “at risk hundreds of thousands of jobs and the integrity of the sport, not only in European competitions, but also in domestic leagues.”

“It is scandalous that a club like PSG, which last season reported losses of more than 220 million euros ($232 million) after accumulating losses of more than 700 million euros ($739 million) in prior seasons (while reporting sponsorship income at doubtful valuation), with a squad cost around 650 million ($686 million) for this season, can close such an agreement, while those clubs that could afford the hiring of the player without seeing their wage bill compromised, are left without being able to sign him.”

Mbappé signed a new three-year contract to 2025, saying he was happy to continue his “adventure” in Paris.

The league has filed complaints against PSG to UEFA over non-compliance with financial fair play rules in the past. UEFA initially sanctioned the French club but the Court of Arbitration for Sport reversed the sanctions in a “bizarre decision,” according to the league.

“PSG is assuming an impossible investment, seeing that it has an unacceptable wage bill and large financial losses in prior seasons. It is violating current UEFA and French economic control rules,” the league said. “This behavior demonstrates once more that state-owned clubs do not respect and do not want to respect the rules of a sector as important as football. These rules are key to protect and sustain hundreds of thousands of jobs.”

Spanish league president Javier Tebas has often attacked state-owned clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City for what he calls their disregard to financial fair play rules.