Closure of Swedish Rape Inquiry Linked to Kylian Mbappé Amid Defamation Claims

Prosecutors in Sweden have officially closed an inquiry into an alleged rape incident that was initially linked to French football captain Kylian Mbappé, citing a lack of evidence as the primary reason for the conclusion. On October 10, while visiting Stockholm, an alleged attack was reported to have occurred at a hotel, triggering a significant media frenzy associating Mbappé with the accusations. Marina Chirakova of the Swedish Prosecution Authority stated that the investigation had failed to gather adequate evidence to proceed, effectively clearing Mbappé of any wrongdoing at this stage.

Despite not being formally named as a suspect by the authorities, Swedish media outlets—including Aftonbladet and Expressen—reported Mbappé's possible involvement, leading to widespread public speculation. In response to the allegations, fast-rising star Mbappé publicly dismissed the reports as “fake news” and maintained his innocence in a recent appearance on French television. His legal representation indicated intentions to pursue defamation claims against the media due to the inaccurate portrayals, emphasizing that Mbappé was in no way involved in any criminal behavior.

While the inquiry has been concluded, it raises important discussions around the impact of media narratives and the potential consequences for individuals caught in the crosshairs of public speculation. Mbappé, who has achieved numerous accolades in his illustrious career, including a stellar performance in the World Cup, continues to focus on his football endeavors, recently celebrating 50 Champions League goals as a forward for Real Madrid after a transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.