According to an exclusive report by L'Équipe, Mohamed Sanhadji, head of logistics and security for the French national team, is formally under judicial investigation for alleged corruption, influence peddling, embezzlement of public funds, and fraud. A figure highly valued when Zidane formed his coaching staff for the French national team, he will not be present on the first day of the current national team training camp on Monday.

This marks the first setback Zidane has faced since beginning his coaching career with the French national team. Previously, Mohamed Sanhadji was appointed as head of logistics and security for the new French national team coaching staff, but he will not be present when the team begins training at Clairefontaine on Monday.

Zidane had strongly urged the French Football Federation (FFF) to retain Sanhadji, nicknamed "Momo," in a central role within the French national team staff. Since 2004, Sanhadji has served with the French national team as a liaison and security officer, and he has now retired from public service. Despite this former police officer being involved in controversy for several months, Zidane ultimately succeeded in keeping him with the French national team. However, Zidane's first step as French national team coach must be taken without Sanhadji. Sanhadji holds significant influence among French national team players, and his involvement in judicial matters has disrupted Zidane's initial plans.

According to L'Équipe, Sanhadji was initially detained by police early this week, and subsequently, an investigating magistrate decided to launch a formal investigation into his case. The Paris Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed that the alleged offenses include "concealment of embezzled 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 related to tax fraud."

According to L'Équipe, under current judicial supervision conditions, Sanhadji is prohibited from contacting active or former players from all levels of the French national team, as well as current French national team coaching staff members, the current and former head coaches of the French national team, current and former presidents and staff of the French Football Federation, and all former directors and deputy directors of the Central Bureau of the Republican Security Company (DC CRS) of the French National Police since 2011. Unless authorized by the investigating magistrate, he is barred from appearing at FFF headquarters, the Clairefontaine training center, the Stade de France, or the Parc des Princes.

As a result, Sanhadji will be unable to accompany the French national team in its upcoming matches. The French national team will play away against Turkey on September 25, away against Belgium on September 28, then host Italy on October 2, and play Belgium again in France on October 5. All of these matches are UEFA Nations League fixtures. This former French national team security officer must also pay a €80,000 bond and is prohibited from engaging in any work related to the French National Police or professional sports.

This highly publicized incident originally stemmed from a "customary gift" of €60,000 given to Sanhadji by Mbappé several months after the 2022 World Cup. At the time, Officer Sanhadji was suspected of not reporting 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 "to thank him for his work during the 2022 World Cup," as Sanhadji and his team were the only staff members who did not receive performance bonuses from the French Football Federation. At the time, several tax lawyers had convinced Sanhadji that this "customary gift" did not need to be reported. However, police management believed it constituted a breach of professional ethics.

According to Sanhadji himself, he failed to report the payment to tax authorities without malicious intent and also forgot to inform his superiors. However, this explanation did not convince the relevant parties. The Paris Public Prosecutor's Office subsequently launched a criminal investigation into money laundering and unreported income. Abdel-Aïssou, a former Deputy Prefect coordinating Sanhadji's defense, believes that the formal investigation against his client is "an attempt to remove him."

Aïssou stated: "They want to remove him, even though he can provide all necessary assurances... We will appeal. But I am very confident that this investigation is designed to destroy him by delaying everything, because the court that ultimately bears responsibility for the decision will also examine the gray areas involved. Especially over the last 20 years, all of Mohamed Sanhadji's superiors—whether prefects, police chiefs, or inspectors—have never pointed out any wrongdoing on his part. This is a procedure that only targets unfavorable aspects and adopts the position of the French National Police's Inspectorate General (IGPN) without providing appropriate evidence. Meanwhile, the disciplinary committee formed by the Ministry of Interior has not yet made a decision. This is an administration that unilaterally imposed sanctions on Mohamed Sanhadji. I hope the appellate judges can lift this ban, allowing Mohamed Sanhadji, who is presumed innocent, to continue his work until the court can render a lawful decision. I am shocked by this treatment, which I consider inhumane and entirely one-sided, destroying the reputation of a man and his family."

According to other sources close to Sanhadji, he was taken away by police at his son's school entrance. He was then transferred first to Marseille, then to Paris, where he was detained by police for 48 hours. Since early 2024, Sanhadji has been personally employed by the French Football Federation.

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