There have been new developments in the corruption investigation carried out against Mohamed Sanhadji, the former security officer of the French National Team.
Statements of Kylian Mbappe, who plays for Real Madrid, and his mother and advisor Fayza Lamari were taken as part of the investigation.
According to the news of the French sports newspaper L'Equipe, Fayza Lamari appeared before the three judges conducting the investigation in Paris on Friday, October 9.
Following his testimony, Lamari was given the status of "témoin assisté" (assisted witness), which is used in the French legal system for people who are not officially accused but are listened to with special guarantees within the scope of the investigation due to certain suspicions about them.
According to reports in the French press, four separate visa applications were examined in the Lamari-related part of the investigation.
It was claimed that Lamari asked Mohamed Sanhadji to act as an intermediary in order to obtain the visas in question.
While it was evaluated that there was not enough evidence to file an official accusation against Lamari, who was heard by three investigating judges, it was decided to apply the status of an assisted witness due to suspicions related to the investigation.
MBAPPE'S PAYMENT OF 60 THOUSAND 300 EURO IS BEING EXAMINED
As part of the investigation, Kylian Mbappe's statement was taken by the French National Police General Inspection Board (IGPN) on September 30.
According to the French press, investigators are examining the payment of 60 thousand 300 Euros that Mbappe made to Mohamed Sanhadji in June 2023.
It was stated that the money in question was covered by a part of the bonus the football player earned from the 2022 World Cup.
Another issue that investigators focused on was the visit of Mbappe and Sanhadji to Cameroon in July 2023.
Authorities are investigating whether Sanhadji, a public official, provided a private security service on this trip and received payment for it.
CORRUPTION ACCUSED AGAINST FORMER SECURITY OFFICER
Mohamed Sanhadji, at the center of the investigation, worked as the security officer of the French National Team between 2004 and 2026.
An official investigation was launched against Sanhadji on September 16 for various allegations, including corruption, influence peddling, crimes related to misuse of public resources, and fraud.
It is claimed that Sanhadji gained various financial advantages by using the close relationships he established with the football players during his time in the national team.
According to information in the French press, it is claimed that Sanhadji borrowed a total of approximately 300 thousand Euros from some football players between 2020 and 2024.
In addition, the suspicion that he benefited from travel, tickets and various privileges, and shared some of them with senior officials, is being investigated.
WELL-KNOWN NAMES OF FRENCH FOOTBALL WERE ALSO LISTENED TO
As part of the investigation, information was sought not only from Mbappe and his mother, but also from many well-known names in French football.
It was reported that the statements of Franck Ribery, former president of the French Football Federation Noel Le Graet, current president Philippe Diallo and comedian Jamel Debbouze were also taken within the scope of the investigation.
It was stated that Sanhadji also dealt with sensitive issues regarding the private lives of football players while he was working within the national team.
In this context, it was reported that Paul Pogba had information about the process regarding the kidnapping and blackmail allegations, that he applied to him in the blackmail case regarding Mathieu Valbuena's private images, and that he supported the football player in the investigation regarding Antoine Griezmann's former manager Eric Olhats.
Investigators continue to investigate whether Sanhadji gained personal benefit from his close relationships with football players.
