Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe is airbrushed from adidas advert amid rape allegation - but Jude Bellingham accidentally posts promo picture with striker still in
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has been removed from an adidas advert.
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has been removed from an adidas advert.
The French striker, 25, did not appear in any of the Spanish giants promotional material for its new Artist Pack clothing range.
In one picture England star Jude Bellingham is seen sitting on a sofa modelling the new range with Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos in the background.
But it later emerged Mbappe was in the original snap after Bellingham accidentally posted a picture on social media showing the striker behind him wearing a black adidas jacket.
It is understood Mbappe was edited out of the image after Nike raised objections to him appearing in the advert for rivals adidas, reported Sports Zone.
Mbappe signed a 10 year deal with Nike in 2019, thought to be worth at least £14 million a season.
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has been removed from an adidas advert with it reported his sponsors Nike objected to him appearing in their rivals promotional material
The French striker, 25, did not appear in any of the Spanish giants promotional material for its new Artist Pack clothing range
MailOnline has contacted Mbappes representatives, adidas, and Nike for comment.
It comes after the French stars representatives slammed allegations of rape against the footballer as totally false and a slanderous rumour.
Swedish prosecutors confirmed in a statement in response to the media coverage that a probe into an alleged rape at the luxury Bank hotel in central Stockholm had been opened, but they did not identify a suspect.
Swedish public broadcaster SVT and dailies Expressen and Aftonbladet, citing unnamed sources, reported that Mbappe, 25, was a suspect in the case.
A new slanderous rumour is starting to ignite the web, a statement sent to Reuters by Mbappes representatives at public relations firm Patricia Goldman said. These accusations are totally false and irresponsible, and their propagation is unacceptable.
Kylian Mbappe will under no circumstances tolerate his integrity, reputation and honour being sullied by unfounded insinuations.
Mbappe signed a 10 year deal with Nike in 2019, thought to be worth at least £14 million a season
It comes after the French stars representatives slammed allegations of rape against the footballer as totally false and a slanderous rumour
Swedish prosecutors confirmed in a statement in response to the media coverage that a probe into an alleged rape at the luxury Bank hotel in central Stockholm had been opened
We do not know who the complaint is against, I do not know if the complaint is targeting him, Mbappes lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard, told French TV channel TF1 on Tuesday.
He is never alone, he is never exposed to a risk-taking situation. It totally excludes that there could have been any reprehensible behaviour on his part. It is an absolute certainty. He is serene but flabbergasted by the media frenzy. He does not understand what can be reproached to him.
He has done nothing wrong, Canu-Bernard said, adding that Mbappe would cooperate with the Swedish justice system if he was to be directly targeted by an investigation.
Mbappe posted a link to a French media story on the matter on X on Monday and wrote: Fake News!!!!
The France national team captain and Real Madrid forward was on a private trip to the Nordic countrys capital last week with a group of friends, Swedish media reported.
Mbappe and his friends left Sweden on Friday, Oct. 11. A report of the allegations against Mbappe was made to police by an unidentified person the following day, Expressen and Aftonbladet reported.
In response to media reports about a suspected rape in Stockholm, the prosecutor can confirm that a criminal report has been submitted to the police, the Swedish Prosecution Authority said in a statement on Tuesday.
