Kylian Mbappe accepts FIFA punishment after ‘refusing’ to ‘waste energy’ on off-field commitment

Lewis Oldham
Mbappe fined by FIFA

PSG and France superstar Kylian Mbappe has accepted punishment from FIFA after ‘refusing’ to take part in his media duties after recent games in Qatar.

Mbappe has unsurprisingly been one of the standout players at the World Cup and he is currently the leading scorer in this year’s competition.

The attacker has been in the headlines a lot in recent months. He was initially expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer before this season as his contract at PSG was due to expire.

But he dramatically had a change of heart and penned a new deal after being given a say in the goings on at the club behind the scenes.

But Mbappe’s relationship with PSG has turned sour of late and he is looking to leave once again with the situation at the French giants ‘really tense’.

The 23-year-old has been able to focus on matters on the pitch in Qatar and his brace against Poland in the round of 16 moves him onto five goals. He is now two clear of the likes of Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Lionel Messi.

Mbappe has got himself in a bit of trouble ahead of France’s quarter-final against England next weekend, though.

The Mirror have explained that Mbappe has been fined by FIFA after he ‘refused’ to take part in media duties after France’s three group games.

This situation was made a tad more serious as he was named Man of the Match for his showings against Australia and Denmark in Group D.

Mbappe and the French Football Federation (FFF) were set to be fined for this but it is said that the player has agreed to cover the whole fine.

The World Cup standout explained his stance when he broke his silence on Sunday.

“I have nothing against journalists, if I didn’t come to talk it’s because I need to fully concentrate on the competition and not waste energy on other things,” Mbappe said following France’s win over Poland.

The Mirror add that he ‘had wanted to minimise his quotes as he was likely to be asked about his future at club level, which he does not wish to discuss’.

Mbappe did not want this to be a ‘distraction’ for France and he was also keen to avoid questions over his image rights.

This comes after he insisted that he ‘did not wish to be associated with brands that had been tied into player’s deals with the football federation’.

Speaking on his desire to win the World Cup, Mbappe added: “This World Cup is my obsession, it is the competition of my dreams.

“I have built my entire season around this competition, I have prepared myself to the fullest both physically and mentally to win it, which is the goal I have set for myself, although it is still far away.

“The only goal is to win the World Cup, the rest is secondary.”

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