UEFA: a decision already taken in the Mbappé – PSG case?

In what is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about post-transfer sagas in recent European football history, the dispute between Kylian Mbappé and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has taken a new turn — and UEFA, the governing body of European football, is now at the center of attention.

After years of dominance at PSG, Mbappé’s departure to Real Madrid was seen by many as the final chapter in a long and often dramatic story. However, the drama is far from over. Mbappé and his legal team are currently involved in a bitter legal battle with PSG, claiming that the club failed to honor its financial commitments before his exit.

According to Mbappé’s camp, PSG allegedly owes the striker a whopping €55.4 million. This amount reportedly consists of unpaid portions of his signing bonus, three months’ salary covering April to June 2024, and outstanding ethics-related bonuses.

His lawyer, Delphine Verheyden, laid bare the figures in a press conference earlier this week. She detailed that PSG still owes the final third of Mbappé’s signing bonus, a figure amounting to €36.66 million gross. On top of that, three months of unpaid salary totaling €18.75 million makes up the remainder of the sum being pursued in court.

The legal team has already moved forward. They’ve secured a precautionary seizure of PSG’s accounts. The Paris judicial court is expected to hear the case on May 26, a date that could set a precedent in how such contractual disputes are handled between high-profile players and clubs.

But this legal battle isn’t just confined to French courts. Mbappé’s team is also playing the European card. In an attempt to escalate the matter further, they’ve requested that the French Football Federation (FFF) notify UEFA of PSG’s alleged non-compliance. This move has the potential to affect PSG’s status in European competitions.

Under UEFA’s licensing and financial sustainability regulations, clubs participating in continental tournaments such as the Champions League must not have outstanding debts towards players on two specific dates: July 15 and October 15. Failure to comply can, at least in theory, jeopardize a club’s eligibility for the UEFA Champions League.

This threat, while real, is currently not enough to push UEFA into action. According to the reputable French outlet L’Équipe, UEFA is aware of the situation but remains cautious. The organization is reportedly holding off on any intervention until the French legal proceedings are fully completed — a process that could stretch over several years.

So far, PSG has shown no signs of backing down. Internally, the club is confident in its position and is preparing to defend itself at every legal level, including the labor court (les prud’hommes) if necessary. The club believes that Mbappé’s claims are “fantastical” and not grounded in the actual terms of their previous agreement.

PSG’s legal representatives argue that the forward failed to meet some of his own contractual obligations and, as such, cannot demand the payments in question. This adds another layer to the case, transforming it into a battle of narratives between the player who became a global icon in Paris and the club that built its modern image around him.

Despite the ongoing legal turmoil, PSG’s participation in the 2025–2026 UEFA Champions League is not currently at risk. UEFA has, for the time being, opted to adopt a wait-and-see approach, which means PSG retains its license to compete next season.

This situation is symbolic of the growing power struggle between players, clubs, and governing bodies. In recent years, we’ve seen an increasing number of players willing to take legal action to defend their rights, and Mbappé’s case could become the defining one for years to come.

It also puts UEFA under the spotlight. The organization’s response — or lack thereof — will be scrutinized not just by the parties involved, but by other players, agents, and clubs who may one day find themselves in similar situations.

Moreover, this legal drama might have political and financial implications in the broader footballing ecosystem. A negative ruling for PSG could open the door for other stars to seek legal redress for unpaid dues, shaking up the traditional dynamics between clubs and players.

While fans may only see this as a dispute over millions, the Mbappé-PSG case has implications that reach far beyond the figures. It’s about contracts, accountability, and the responsibilities of elite institutions in European football.

With the court date fast approaching and UEFA monitoring from the sidelines, all eyes will be on how this saga unfolds. For now, Mbappé has made his move — and the football world waits to see what UEFA, PSG, and the courts will do next.

In the meantime, PSG continues to prepare for their European campaign, even as uncertainty looms in the background. The French giants remain hopeful that the storm will pass, but with Mbappé’s team pushing forward relentlessly, this might only be the beginning of a very long and public battle.