According to an exclusive L'Équipe report, Mohamed Sanhadji, the logistics and security manager for the French national team, is now the subject of a formal judicial investigation for alleged corruption, influence peddling, misappropriation of public funds, and fraud. Highly regarded by Zidane when assembling his coaching staff for the French team, Sanhadji will be absent on the first day of the team's training camp this Monday.

This is the first setback Zidane has encountered since beginning his coaching career with the French national team. Previously, Mohamed Sanhadji had been named logistics and security chief for Zidane's new coaching staff at the French Football Federation, but he will not be present when the team begins its training camp at Clairefontaine this Monday.

Zidane had previously pressured the French Football Federation (FFF) intensely, hoping that Sanhadji, nicknamed "Momo," would continue to play a central role in the French team's staff. Sanhadji has been assigned to the French national team as a liaison and security officer since 2004 and recently retired from public service. Although this former police officer had been mired in controversy in recent months, Zidane ultimately secured Sanhadji's continued role with the French team. However, Zidane's first steps as French national team coach must now proceed without Sanhadji. Sanhadji wields considerable influence within the French national team, and his involvement in legal troubles has disrupted Zidane's original plans.

According to L'Équipe, Sanhadji was first placed in police custody earlier this week, and subsequently, an investigating judge decided to open a formal investigation against him. The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed that the alleged offenses include "receiving misappropriated public funds, active corruption of a public official, active influence peddling involving a public official, passive influence peddling involving a public official, international passive influence peddling, passive corruption of a public official, fraud, and money laundering from tax fraud."

According to L'Équipe, under current judicial supervision measures, Sanhadji is prohibited from contacting current or former players associated with French national teams at all levels, as well as current members of the French national team's coaching staff, current and former head coaches of the French national team, current and former presidents and staff of the French Football Federation, and current and former directors and deputy directors of the Central Bureau of Republican Security Police (DC CRS) of the French National Police since 2011. Without authorization from the investigating judge, he cannot enter the FFF headquarters, the Clairefontaine training center, the Stade de France, or the Parc des Princes.

Consequently, Sanhadji will not be able to accompany the French national team in its upcoming matches. France will play in Turkey on September 25, in Belgium on September 28, then host Italy on October 2, and face Belgium again in France on October 5. All of these matches are part of the UEFA Nations League. The former French national team "officer" must also pay a bail of 80,000 euros and is prohibited from working for the French National Police or in professional sports.

This highly publicized incident originated from a "customary gift" of 60,000 euros that Mbappé gave to Sanhadji a few months after the 2022 World Cup. At the time, Officer Sanhadji was suspected of failing to declare this gift to his superiors, and he subsequently accompanied the French national team star to Cameroon. An administrative investigation was then launched, which ultimately led to Sanhadji's early retirement.

According to sources close to Mbappé, the money was "in gratitude for his work during the 2022 World Cup," as Sanhadji and his subordinates were the only staff members who did not receive performance bonuses from the French Football Federation. At the time, some tax advisors had assured Sanhadji that this "customary gift" did not need to be declared. However, police leadership considered it a violation of the professional code of conduct.

According to Sanhadji himself, he did not declare the funds to tax authorities with any ill intent and also forgot to inform his superiors. However, this explanation did not convince the parties involved. The Paris prosecutor's office subsequently launched a criminal investigation for money laundering and undeclared employment. Sanhadji's defense coordinator, former sub-prefect Abdel Aïssou, believes the formal investigation against his client is "an attempt to eliminate him."

Aïssou stated: "They want to eliminate him, even though he can provide all necessary guarantees... We will appeal. But I am deeply convinced that this investigation aims to destroy him through prolonged proceedings, because the court ultimately responsible for judgment will also examine the ambiguities involved. Especially over the last 20 years, all of Mohamed Sanhadji's superiors—whether prefects, police commissioners, or inspectors—have never identified any dereliction of duty. This is a procedure that focuses only on negative aspects and adopts the position of the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN) without providing corresponding evidence. Meanwhile, the disciplinary committee established by the Ministry of the Interior has not even made a decision. It is the administration that unilaterally imposed a sanction on Mohamed Sanhadji. I hope that the appellate judges can lift this ban so that Mohamed Sanhadji, who is presumed innocent, can continue his work until the court can rule in accordance with the law. I am shocked by this treatment, which I consider inhumane and entirely 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 his son's school entrance. He was then transferred first to Marseille, then to Paris, where he was held by police for 48 hours. Since early 2026, Sanhadji has been employed by the French Football Federation in a personal capacity.

Traduit par IA.

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