Investigation into Mohamed Sanhadji: French team officer charged with embezzlement
In the corridors of Clairefontaine, the absence of Mohamed Sanhadji is felt as the Blues prepare for the season. The former liaison officer, present since 2004, was placed under investigation on September 16, two days before the release of Zinedine Zidane’s first squad as manager of the French national team.
The alleged facts
According to the investigation revealed by L'Equipe, Sanhadji is being prosecuted for concealment of misappropriation of public funds, several forms of corruption and influence peddling, as well as for fraud, money laundering and tax evasion. The accusations are based on his use of his closeness to the players to obtain sums of money for personal purposes.
He is said to have received a €60,000 cheque from Kylian Mbappé, intended to thank him for his support at the 2022 World Cup, a sum he did not declare to the tax authorities. This case triggered an administrative procedure as early as January 2025.
The loan network and the amounts collected
Between 2020 and 2024, Sanhadji is alleged to have solicited nearly €300,000 from French internationals, presenting himself as the only one who could help with the purchase of a house. Wiretaps showed that he did not own any property, but was planning to buy a house adjacent to the one he mentioned.
Loans were obtained: Kylian Mbappé, through his mother Fayza Lamari, is said to have contributed €120,000 before a notary; Raphaël Varane, Sabri Lamouchi and Laurent Blanc each provided €20,000, Yann M'Vila €15,000 and Mattéo Guendouzi €7,500 against a debt acknowledgement. The total amount collected amounts to €215,000.
Sanhadji is said to have insisted on the secrecy of these operations, stating that disclosure would be “otherwise I’m dead”. The players were allegedly convinced that the funds would be used for a personal real‑estate project.
Officially retired in 2025, he remained in the private staff for the 2026 World Cup and even stood beside President Emmanuel Macron in the group photo. His judicial control now prohibits him from entering Clairefontaine, preventing him from meeting the players for the season kickoff.
Searches targeted the headquarters of the French Football Federation and the home of Fayza Lamari, Mbappé’s mother, highlighting the scale of the investigation.