For more than twenty years, Mohamed “Momo” Sanhadji worked closely with the France national team and its biggest stars. But the former head of security for Les Bleus is now at the center of a major judicial investigation. Formally placed under investigation on charges including corruption, influence peddling, fraud and laundering the proceeds of tax fraud, he is suspected of having used his extensive network in football to obtain significant sums of money and various personal benefits. He remains presumed innocent.
According to L’Équipe, investigators are reportedly looking into more than €300,000 that Mohamed Sanhadji allegedly received from several France internationals between 2020 and 2024. These sums may also have been accompanied by trips, gifts and various expenses covered by figures from the football world.
More than €200,000 allegedly loaned by football figures
One particularly striking part of the case concerns the purchase of a house. Sanhadji allegedly said he was experiencing financial difficulties and approached around fifteen current or former players for help. Around €215,000 was reportedly loaned in total. Kylian Mbappé, through his mother Fayza Lamari, allegedly contributed €120,000. Raphaël Varane, Sabri Lamouchi and Laurent Blanc reportedly provided €20,000 each, Yann M’Vila €15,000 and Mattéo Guendouzi €7,500. Lamari is also said to have paid around €7,000 in dental expenses for Sanhadji. Investigators have also reportedly examined benefits in kind, including a trip to Sicily worth an estimated €6,000 allegedly offered by Franck Ribéry after Sanhadji helped some of his relatives with administrative procedures in Algeria. These claims remain part of the ongoing investigation and have not been definitively established by a court.
Several other prominent names, including Djibril Sidibé, Nabil Fekir, Moussa Sissoko and Bacary Sagna, were reportedly approached for money or other benefits, while Hugo Lloris, Patrick Vieira, Willy Sagnol and Nicolas Anelka are also said to have been asked for loans. Investigators have additionally examined the private trip made by Mbappé and Lamari to Cameroon in the summer of 2023, during which Sanhadji accompanied them even though the trip was reportedly outside the scope of his official duties with the France team. His presence is said to have raised questions within the police.
The investigation has also led to searches, notably at the French Football Federation and at Fayza Lamari’s home. Sanhadji has been placed under judicial supervision, including a ban on associating with the football world, and was required to post €80,000 bail. The case is now in the hands of the courts and the investigation remains ongoing. The amounts, circumstances and any possible consideration involved will therefore have to be established through judicial proceedings. At this stage, Mohamed Sanhadji remains presumed innocent.
