According to an exclusive report by L'Équipe, Mohamed Sanhadji, head of logistics and security for the French national team, is officially under judicial investigation for alleged corruption, influence peddling, misappropriation of public funds, and fraud. A highly regarded figure when Zinedine Zidane assembled his coaching staff for the French national team, Sanhadji will be absent on Monday, the first day of the current national team training camp.

This is the first major setback Zidane has encountered since beginning his tenure as coach of the French national team. Mohamed Sanhadji was appointed as head of logistics and security for Zidane's coaching staff, but he will not be present when the team begins training at Clairefontaine on Monday.

Zidane had previously lobbied the French Football Federation (FFF) strenuously to retain Sanhadji, nicknamed "Momo," in a key role within the French national team's staff. Sanhadji has been seconded to the French national team as a liaison and security officer since 2004 and has since retired from public service. Despite the former police officer being embroiled in controversy for several months, Zidane ultimately succeeded in keeping him with the French national team. However, Zidane's first day as coach of the French national team will proceed without Sanhadji. Sanhadji wields considerable influence among French national team players, and his current judicial proceedings have disrupted Zidane's plans.

According to L'Équipe, Sanhadji was taken into police custody earlier this week, after which an investigating judge opened a formal investigation against him. The Paris Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed that the alleged offenses include "concealment of proceeds from misappropriation of public funds, active bribery of public officials, active influence peddling involving public officials, passive influence peddling involving public officials, passive international influence peddling, passive bribery of public officials, fraud, and money laundering of proceeds from tax fraud."

Under current judicial control measures, Sanhadji is prohibited from contacting current and former players at all levels of the French national teams, as well as current members of the French national team coaching staff, current and former French national team head coaches, and current and former officials of the French Football Federation and Central Bureau of the Republican Security Police (DC CRS). Unless authorized by the investigating judge, he cannot appear at FFF headquarters, Clairefontaine, Stade de France, or Parc des Princes. He must also pay an €80,000 bail and is prohibited from any work related to the French National Police or professional sports.

Consequently, Sanhadji will not accompany the French national team in upcoming UEFA Nations League matches: Turkey away on September 25, Belgium away on September 28, Italy at home on October 2, and Belgium at home on October 5.

The incident originated from a €60,000 gift that Kylian Mbappé gave to Sanhadji a few months after the 2022 World Cup. Sanhadji was suspected of failing to report this gift to his superiors, and he subsequently accompanied the French national team to Cameroon. An administrative investigation was launched, ultimately leading to Sanhadji's early retirement.

According to sources close to Mbappé, the money was intended "to thank him for his work during the 2022 World Cup," as Sanhadji and his team were among the few staff members who did not receive performance bonuses from the French Football Federation. At the time, some tax lawyers reportedly assured Sanhadji that this gift did not need to be declared. However, police management considered it a breach of professional ethics.

According to Sanhadji, he failed to declare the payment to tax authorities unintentionally and also forgot to inform his superiors. This explanation did not satisfy investigators. The Paris Public Prosecutor's Office subsequently opened a criminal investigation into money laundering and undeclared income. Former Deputy Prefect Abdel Aïssou, coordinating Sanhadji's defense, believes the formal investigation is "designed to remove him."

Aïssou stated: "They want him out, even though he can provide all necessary guarantees. We will appeal. But I am convinced this investigation is designed to destroy him through delay, because the court ultimately responsible for judgment will also examine the grey areas. Over the past 20 years, all of Mohamed Sanhadji's superiors—prefects, police chiefs, and inspectors—have never cited any dereliction of duty on his part. This procedure targets only negative aspects and adopts the position of the General Inspectorate of the French National Police (IGPN) without providing corresponding evidence. Meanwhile, the disciplinary committee established by the Ministry of Interior has not even ruled. The administration is unilaterally imposing penalties on Mohamed Sanhadji. I hope the appellate judges will lift this ban so that Mohamed Sanhadji, who is presumed innocent, can continue his work until the court can rule according to law. I am shocked by this treatment, which I believe is inhumane and completely one-sided, and which damages the reputation of a person and his family."

According to another source close to Sanhadji, he was taken into police custody at the entrance of his son's school. He was transferred first to Marseille, then to Paris, where he was held for 48 hours. Since early 2024, Sanhadji has been employed by the French Football Federation in a personal capacity.

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