French soccer star Kylian Mbappé has dismissed a fabricated story claiming he accused President Emmanuel Macron of sexual harassment.
The incident highlights the growing risk of sophisticated disinformation campaigns targeting high-profile public figures using deceptive websites to mimic reputable news organizations.
The false story surfaced in June 2026 [1] on a website designed to look like the sports news outlet Eurosport [2]. The fraudulent site claimed that Mbappé had leveled sexual harassment allegations against the French president. However, both the athlete and independent fact-checkers have confirmed the story is entirely baseless.
"These allegations are completely false and constitute fake news," Mbappé said [3].
TheCube, a fact-checking team, investigated the origin of the report and found it to be a deliberate forgery. "The story about Mbappé accusing President Macron is a fabricated piece from a site mimicking Eurosport," TheCube said [4].
While the fabricated claim against the president was debunked, the situation occurred amid a complex media environment. Some outlets have reported on separate, unrelated police investigations regarding other allegations involving the player, but the specific claim regarding President Macron remains a proven fabrication [5].
Reputable news organizations have urged caution when consuming content from sites that mimic established brands. The fake Eurosport page used visual elements and branding to deceive readers into believing the report was official before it was flagged as a hoax [2].
“"These allegations are completely false and constitute fake news."”
This event demonstrates the increasing use of 'imposter content,' where malicious actors create mirror sites of trusted news brands to lend credibility to false claims. By targeting two of France's most visible figures—a global sports icon and the head of state—the creators of the fake site sought to maximize viral reach and click-through rates through high-stakes scandal.
