Swedish Rape Inquiry Closed Without Charges Against Mbappé

Prosecutors in Sweden have officially closed an inquiry related to a rape allegation associated with French football star Kylian Mbappé, affirming that there was not enough evidence to proceed. Mbappé’s lawyer has expressed his client’s intent to clear his name, dubbing the allegations as defamatory and claiming that media reports have misconstrued the situation.

Swedish prosecutors have confirmed the closure of an inquiry into an alleged rape incident that was reported to have occurred in Stockholm, which some media outlets had associated with French football captain Kylian Mbappé. Marina Chirakova, a representative of the Swedish Prosecution Authority, stated that the investigation concluded due to a lack of evidence to support the allegations. Notably, Mbappé was never formally identified as a suspect or informed of any accusations against him throughout the inquiry.

Allegations first arose in October when reports emerged from several prominent Swedish news platforms, including Aftonbladet and Expressen, suggesting that Mbappé was linked to a case involving alleged sexual misconduct at a hotel in Stockholm on October 10. In response to these accusations, Mbappé’s legal counsel announced their intentions to pursue a defamation claim, while the player himself labeled the allegations as "fake news."

Chirakova remarked that the evidence gathered during the preliminary investigation was insufficient to justify further legal action, leading to the case's closure. When addressing the situation in a recent interview on the French TV show Clique, Mbappé reiterated his non-involvement, stating, "I haven't received anything, no summons... I'm not involved."

Initially, police conducted an investigation at the Bank hotel where Mbappé had stayed, reportedly seizing items for examination. His lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard, has strongly criticized the media speculation surrounding the situation, defending Mbappé by emphasizing the precautions he takes to avoid scenarios that could compromise his reputation.

Meanwhile, Mbappé continues to excel in his career, recently achieving his 50th Champions League goal following his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid. As a prominent figure in football, he holds accolades that include winning the 2018 World Cup in Russia and contributing significantly to France's journey in the 2022 final against Argentina. Last year, he finished third for both the Ballon d'Or and Best FIFA Men's Player awards, solidifying his status as one of the sport's elite players.