Fayza Lamari, the mother of Kylian Mbappé, has been placed under the status of “témoin assisté” (assisted witness) by investigating judges in France.
Judicial status of Fayza Lamari
According to reporting from L’Équipe, the judges determined that while there were indications of potential wrongdoing, the evidence was not sufficiently grave to warrant a formal indictment.
The investigation into Mohamed Sanhadji
Mohamed Sanhadji, who served as the security chief for the French national team, faces allegations of corruption, influence peddling, embezzlement of public funds, and fraud. The investigation, which gained public attention in early September, centers on claims that Sanhadji received both in-kind gifts and monetary sums from several French international players. Among the reported transactions, Kylian Mbappé allegedly paid Sanhadji 60,300 euros, a portion of the forward’s bonus from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Investigators are also examining a trip to Cameroon taken by Mbappé, during which the player employed Sanhadji. The inquiry seeks to clarify whether this trip constituted a private matter, a point of contention given Sanhadji’s status as a police officer at the time.
Hearings involving Kylian Mbappé and other figures
The legal process has involved numerous high-profile figures within French football. The investigation, conducted by the IGPN, has reportedly seen dozens of individuals questioned, including former players and officials such as Franck Ribéry, Noël Le Graët, Philippe Diallo, and entertainer Jamel Debbouze.
Context of the national team security
The controversy surrounding Sanhadji complicated the atmosphere during the initial team gathering under Zinedine Zidane. Despite the allegations, the manager had initially reinstated Sanhadji to his position before his formal investigation began in early September. The case remains ongoing as authorities continue to evaluate the financial dealings involving the former security official and various members of the French sporting establishment.
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