Kylian Mbappé is the new king of the football world. We bow before the idol. Latest to date, sponsor KFC, official partner of the French Football Federation. The fast food chain proceeded to a serious backpedal this Wednesday after the remarks, the day before, of its vice-president Alain Béral, pointing to “a whim” of the attacker of the Blues at the origin of a showdown with the FFF about the burning file of image rights. These remarks, made during a professional crossroads, « are personal opinions, but in no way reflect the position of the company “which “regrets the words that were spoken yesterday (Tuesday) and reported this (Wednesday) morning in the media”, is it written in a communicated.
“KFC France also wishes to clarify that Alain Béral did not speak on behalf of the company, but in the context of a private conversation during an event related to his duties as President of the National Basketball League. “, continues the text. Within the gathering of the Blues called to face Austria in the League of Nations this Thursday evening at the Stade de France, Kylian Mbappé had regretted that no agreement could be reached before the World Cup (November 20 – 18 December) in Qatar on image rights, going so far as to threaten to boycott a marketing shoot scheduled for Tuesday in Clairefontaine. Monday evening, the Federation bent to the will of the star and reconsidered its position by committing to revise “as soon as possible, the convention inherent in image rights which binds it to its players in selection”. Mbappé, who finally took part in the photo session, and other influential players in the Les Bleus locker room believe that they must be consulted before the commercial operations of the FFF and that it could be expected that their participation is compatible with their commitments with their personal sponsors.
“The partnership concluded between KFC and the Federation (…) has always been a source of pride for the company”, also writes in its press release KFC France, which says it has “full confidence in the ability of the FFF to bring out satisfactory solutions for all of its partners as well as for the players, including Kylian Mbappé, of whom we count among the first supporters like millions of French people”.