An investigation into alleged rape and sexual assault in Stockholm which Swedish media said targeted Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has been closed due to insufficient evidence, the Swedish prosecutor said on Thursday.Mbappe, the 25-year-old Frenchman who is one of the highest-profile players in world football, visited the Swedish capital October 9-11 with a group of people after he was left out of his country’s squad for a Nations League match. Sweden’s prosecution authority announced on October 15 that it was investigating an alleged incident that occurred at an upscale Stockholm hotel on October 10, without mentioning the suspect by name.Several Swedish media outlets identified Mbappe as the suspect. "My assessment is that the evidence is not sufficient to proceed and the investigation is therefore closed,” prosecutor Marina Chirakova said in a statement that also did not mention Mbappe by name.Chirakova said the person in question had not been interrogated and "not been notified of suspicion of a crime”. "I have concluded, based on what has emerged in the case, that new evidence, including interrogations of the person in question, would not change the evidence situation right now,” she said. She said her team had nonetheless "conducted a large number of interviews in the investigation”.Mbappe’s lawyer said in October that he was "shocked” to see his name linked to the investigation. Speaking for the first time about the case on Sunday, he told French television show Clique he was "not involved”. "I haven’t received anything, no summons... I’m not involved,” he said.According to reports, Mbappe and his entourage dined at a restaurant one evening before going on to a nightclub.The complaint was filed on October 12 after the alleged victim had sought medical attention, according to the newspaper.Expressen reported that police had seized some clothing as evidence, saying it consisted of women’s underwear, a pair of black trousers and a black top. Photographs showed police officers leaving the hotel with brown bags.Real confirm left thigh injury to MbappeMeanwhile, Mbappe suffered a thigh injury in this week’s Champions League match at Atalanta, the Spanish club confirmed without giving details on his absence. On Tuesday, Mbappe opened the scoring in the 10th minute in a 3-2 win in Bergamo to revive the holders’ flagging Champions League campaign.But the 25-year-old pulled up with a muscle pain after 36 minutes and was replaced by Rodrygo. Before pulling up Mbappe had one of his best outings in the Madrid jersey since joining last summer from Paris Saint-Germain with three clear scoring chances, including one in the second minute.
December 13, 2024 | 12:14 AM