By refusing to participate in a photograph while on international duty, Kylian Mbappe was attempting to put pressure on the French Football Federation.
Kylian Mbappe reportedly denied a French National Team photoshoot over image rights. The PSG star has been in a battle with the FFF for months over image rights and payment structure.
Mbappe snubbed the French National Team’s promotional photo shoot on Monday, L’Equipe reports. It was supposed to involve just the national team’s primary sponsors, which may have upset Uber Eats, KFC, and Coca-Cola.
The FFF refuses to modify its image rights agreement until after the World Cup. Each Les Bleus player receives the same amount from image rights under a collective agreement.
Mbappe rejected sponsors while on international duty in March. Mbappe and other squad members thought their image was utilized more, while receiving the same amount, and they should have some control over whose brands they promote.
FFF president Noel Le Graet said he held conciliatory conversations with Mbappe and other angry players in June. Le Graet said “no big problem” existed.
“I saw Mbappe alone, then at Clairefontaine, then in a group, then all the players,” he remarked at the FFF’s general assembly.
Le Graet told RMC: “No change till the World Cup, complete player equality. No big issues exist. False. First with him, then the ancient soldiers of the federation, the players.”
