France team security chief Mohamed Sanhadji placed under judicial control amid corruption probe

Mohamed Sanhadji, the long-time logistics and security manager for the France national football team, was taken into custody at the start of the week as investigators pursued a case opened in 2023 over a donation made by Kylian Mbappé. The inquiry led a magistrate to place Sanhadji under judicial control and formally indict him on a range of charges such as misappropriation of public funds, active and passive corruption of public officials, various forms of influence-peddling, fraud, money-laundering and tax evasion.

Although he remains free, the conditions of his judicial control prohibit any contact with the team’s staff, current or former players, and anyone associated with the French Football Federation. Consequently, he will miss the squad’s initial training camp and cannot enter the federation’s headquarters, Clairefontaine, the Stade de France or the Parc des Princes without special permission. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of financial dealings surrounding the national team’s operations.