Former Police Official Faces Judicial Examination Over Alleged Corruption
Former police official Sanhadji faces judicial examination for corruption tied to funds from Mbappé.
Event / Security
Mohamed Sanhadji Corruption Investigation
Mohamed Sanhadji, logistics and security manager for the French national football team, was placed under judicial examination in September 2026 for corruption, embezzlement, influence trafficking, and fraud charges related to undeclared payments received from Kylian Mbappé.
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2026-09-19 to 2026-11-05 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 19 Sept, 16:12 UTC
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What happened
Sanhadji forced to take early retirement from national police
Mohamed Sanhadji, who served as security officer for the French national football team from 2004 to December 2025, was forced to take early retirement from the national police after receiving the undeclared payment from Mbappé. He was subsequently recruited directly by the French Football Federation (FFF) to support the national team at the 2026 World Cup, serving in logistics and security roles.
Mohamed Sanhadji put under judicial examination for corruption charges
Mohamed Sanhadji, logistics and security manager for the French national football team, was placed under judicial examination on September 16, 2026, by investigating magistrates. He faces multiple charges including receiving concealed public funds, active corruption of a public official, active influence trafficking on public officials, passive influence trafficking, international passive influence trafficking, passive corruption by public official, fraud, and money laundering of tax fraud.
Judicial measures restrict Sanhadji from contact with French football officials
As part of his judicial control, Sanhadji is prohibited from all contact with current and former national team players, current French team staff, current and past selectors, and current and past FFF officials and personnel. He is also barred from the FFF headquarters, Clairefontaine training center, Stade de France, and Parc des Princes without express authorization from the magistrate.
Judicial investigation opened in January 2026 into Sanhadji case
A formal judicial investigation was opened in January 2026 into the financial irregularities involving Mohamed Sanhadji and the transfer from Kylian Mbappé. The investigation was triggered after Tracfin, France's financial intelligence unit, received notification from a banker about the undeclared 60,300-euro payment in July 2024.
Sanhadji prohibited from professional activities in sports and law enforcement
Judicial control measures ban Sanhadji from exercising any activity in national police or professional sports sector. This prohibition specifically covers any remunerated activity with French or foreign clubs, French or international sports federations, and the French Football Federation. He has been ordered to pay a bail bond of 80,000 euros.
Sanhadji received 60,300 euros from Kylian Mbappé in June 2023
Mohamed Sanhadji received a check for 60,300 euros from Kylian Mbappé in June 2023, originating from Mbappé's World Cup 2022 prize money. Sanhadji did not declare this payment to his hierarchy. The transfer was flagged by a banker to Tracfin, France's financial intelligence unit, in July 2024, triggering a judicial investigation for undeclared work and money laundering of tax fraud.
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