In an interview with RMC Sport, Philippe Piat, the president of the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP), commented on Kylian Mbappé’s sidelining by PSG. He warns the French club that their handling of the native of Bondy could become illegal after September 1st.
Tensions between PSG and Kylian Mbappé have reached their peak. Still refusing to extend his contract or leave the club this summer, the 2018 World Cup winner has been excluded from the Parisian squad for the tour in Japan. If the 22-year-old does not change his mind before the end of the transfer window, Paris Saint-Germain is considering leaving him in the stands for the entire next season before his free departure in June 2024. However, such methods could result in sanctions against the capital club.
Spanish media reported over the weekend that, in case of legal action, Mbappé would probably win, as PSG’s practices seem to be in contradiction with workers’ rights. In parallel, the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) closely monitors this situation. In an interview with RMC Sport, the president of the UNFP even issued a warning to PSG.
“It’s a war of attrition. The regulations allow the club to manage its squad as it wishes. After September 1st, things have to return to normal. It’s a coincidence that the transfer window ends on September 1st. It allows the club to manage its squad until a certain point. After that, it can’t do whatever it wants,” said Philippe Piat, as reported by Footmercato.
“It would become illegal under labor law” He continued on a more threatening note towards the French club: “If the two parties don’t agree on a way out of the crisis, we will be obliged to demand respect for the regulations. Respect for the regulations means allowing Mbappé to train normally, probably forcing the club to play him because otherwise, it would be harassment.
It would become illegal under labor law. When it’s about a player who is not very well-known, you can make it seem like he’s not in good shape. But when it comes to the best player in the world, it’s not possible to make people believe that it’s not for disciplinary reasons. The text I’m referring to provides for sanctions if a player is sidelined for reasons that are not related to sports. Procedures will be implemented,” he concluded.
The standoff between the two parties is limited in time, and the regulations seem to be on Kylian Mbappé’s side. The French international was seen smiling while signing autographs outside the Poissy training center over the weekend.
