Real Madrid and France football star Kylian Mbappé has spoken publicly for the first time about reports from Sweden in October that he was the subject of a rape investigation, The Associated Press reports.
In an interview that aired Sunday on French TV station Canal Plus, Mbappé expressed disbelief and incomprehension at the allegations.
Swedish media outlets reported in October that Mbappé was under investigation following an alleged incident in Stockholm during a break from his club and international duties. At the time, Mbappé’s legal team dismissed the reports as false.
“I was surprised and I still am surprised,” Mbappé told Canal Plus. “These are things that come into your life like that, you can’t see them coming. It’s just incomprehension. I don’t think it weighed on me in the sense that I have never considered myself involved.”
While Swedish authorities confirmed an ongoing rape investigation at a Stockholm hotel, they did not name any suspects. A prosecutor recently told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet that the investigation continues but offered no furtter details.
Mbappé stated that he has not been contacted by Swedish authorities and would cooperate if summoned.
