By Aaior  K. Comfort

Kylian Mbappé’s representatives announced on Wednesday that they have declined the French football league’s (LFP) offer to mediate in the ongoing salary dispute between the France captain and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The disagreement centers around €55 million in unpaid wages and bonuses that Mbappé claims the club owes him.

The contested amount includes a signing bonus expected in February 2024, the final three months of his salary, and an “ethical bonus” for the period. PSG alleges that the 25-year-old striker agreed to waive this payment in August 2023, before his summer transfer to Real Madrid.

Lawyers from both sides met on Wednesday after Mbappé referred the matter to the LFP’s legal committee. Although the LFP proposed mediation as a potential solution, Mbappé’s camp quickly dismissed the idea.

“The possibility of mediation was raised this morning,” Mbappé’s representatives told AFP in a statement. “This option was rejected during the meeting by the player’s representative. Mediation would be unnecessary, as the unpaid amount is evident from a simple review of the player’s payslip.”

In response, PSG expressed their support for the mediation, emphasizing that the club has sought such a resolution for months. “Paris Saint-Germain is very satisfied with today’s two-hour hearing before the commission,” the club stated. “The player has made repeated public and private commitments that must be honoured, having received unprecedented benefits from the club over seven remarkable years in Paris.”