France Security Chief 'Momo' Sanhadji Under Formal Investigation Over Payments From Players, Including Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé provided roughly £160,000 ($211,300) to Mohamed 'Momo' Sanhadji, then the French Football Federation's (FFF) logistics and security manager, according to L'Équipe. The sum comprised a €60,300 (£51,300 or $67,900) bonus payment and a €120,000 loan (£102,200 or $135,100). Sanhadji was placed under formal investigation on 16 September over allegations including corruption, influence peddling, fraud, receiving embezzled public funds and money laundering linked to suspected tax evasion.

Sanhadji has not been convicted and is presumed innocent. The investigation began after France's financial intelligence agency, Tracfin, flagged transactions involving Sanhadji in 2024.

Mbappé Payments Make up More Than Half

Investigators say Mbappé's payments accounted for more than half of the money attributed to French national team players. The first payment was a €60,300 cheque given to Sanhadji in June 2023 from Mbappé's bonus following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Mbappé later provided a further €120,000 loan through his mother and agent, Fayza Lamari. The money was reportedly intended to help Sanhadji purchase a property.

People close to Mbappé said the payments were voluntary expressions of gratitude for Sanhadji's protection work and were not made in exchange for favours. No charges have been brought against Mbappé. Four other members of the security team reportedly received €30,000 (£25,500 or $33,700) each from the same World Cup bonus.

The payments have also fuelled scrutiny over whether financial arrangements with players gave Sanhadji, or those close to Mbappé, informal influence within the French Football Federation or around squad matters.

Investigators Examine Loans and Private Favours

The wider investigation centres on payments and benefits Sanhadji allegedly obtained through his relationships with members of the national team. Investigators say he sought personal loans from around 15 current and former players, receiving about €215,000 (£183,000 or $242,000) in total. They are examining whether some of the money was genuinely borrowed or connected to other benefits and private arrangements.

The inquiry has also examined trips involving Sanhadji and Mbappé, including a private journey to Cameroon. Prosecutors are investigating whether payments and other benefits were connected to private services outside Sanhadji's official responsibilities.

The €60,300 payment had already triggered disciplinary action within the French police. An internal investigation found that Sanhadji had not informed his superiors about the cheque. He was subsequently placed into forced early retirement from the National Police in December 2025.

Sanhadji had spent about two decades working with the French national side as a liaison and security officer before later taking a logistics and security role with the French Football Federation (FFF).

Court Imposes Restrictions on Sanhadji

Sanhadji has been placed under judicial supervision and ordered to post €80,000 (£68,100 or $90,000) bail. He has been barred from professional activity in the sports sector and from contacting current or former players, coaches and FFF officials.

Sanhadji is also prohibited from entering locations including Clairefontaine, the Stade de France and the Parc des Princes without judicial authorisation. The FFF has joined the proceedings as a civil party. Investigators have also carried out searches at the federation's headquarters as part of the wider case.

The case follows an earlier disciplinary action. On 19 December 2025, the National Police Directorate forced Sanhadji into early retirement after an IGPN investigation found that he had failed to disclose the payment from Mbappé to his superiors.