Swedish prosecutors confirmed a rape investigation on Tuesday after media reports that French footballer Kylian Mbappe was being investigated after a trip to Stockholm, but did not name the suspect.
On Monday, Swedish newspapers Aftonbladet and Expressen reported that a rape investigation had been launched following Mbappe’s two-day visit to the Nordic capital.
“In response to media reports about a suspected rape in Stockholm, the Prosecutor can confirm that a criminal report has been submitted to the police,” Sweden’s prosecuting authority said in a statement.
It said the alleged incident took place at a hotel on October 10, but did not name any suspects and said no further information could be shared at this time.
Expressen, citing unnamed sources, identified Mbappé as the suspect on Monday, while Aftonbladet said on Tuesday it had also received information confirming that Mbappé was the suspect.
Expressen said there was “reasonable suspicion” of rape and sexual assault on Mbappé, the lowest of two grades of suspicion in the Swedish legal system.
Contacted by AFP on Monday, Mbappe’s entourage said they had no knowledge of the legal complaint made against him.
The French international was not selected for his country’s latest round of Nations League matches, so visited the Swedish capital with a group of people last Thursday.
According to Aftonbladet, they dined at a restaurant before going to a nightclub. Mbappé and the group left Sweden on Friday.
Aftonbladet said the complaint was filed on Saturday after the alleged victim sought medical help.
Police seized some clothing as evidence, including women’s underwear, a pair of black trousers and a black top, Expressen reported on Tuesday.
On Monday, Mbappe himself claimed in a post on X that there was a connection between the Aftonbladet report and his hearing before the French league committee on Tuesday, in his bitter dispute with his former club Paris Saint-Germain over what he says That are unpaid salaries. ,
Mbappe claims he is owed 55 million euros ($60 million) by the Qatar-owned French champions.
“FAKE NEWS!!!… On the eve of the hearing this is becoming so predictable, as if by accident,” Mbappe posted.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
