Kylian Mbappe transfer row intensifies as Ligue 1 chief escalates war with La Liga

The Kylian Mbappe transfer row has escalated further after the head of Ligue 1 wrote a letter to his opposite number in Spain calling out “disrespectful smears” and referring to Real Madrid and Barcelona benefiting from “illegal state aid.”

Vincent Labrune has said that Javier Tebas, who last week claimed Mbappe’s decision to sign a €300m contract to remain at Paris Saint-Germain was “an insult to football” , has “denigrated” the French game with claims that are “both unacceptable and manifestly false.”

He also namechecked Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos leaving Spain “by choice” last summer - to join Mbappe at PSG, who have won eight of the past ten domestic titles. Mbappe, 23, signed a deal to remain in Paris until 2025 having reportedly verbally agreed to joining Real earlier in the campaign.

“First, in relation to financial stability and sustainability, two of your clubs - Real Madrid and Barcelona - have broken a multitude of records in the past decade," he said in a letter. "In terms of transfer fees, these two clubs have broken the world record six times. In terms of player salaries, Real Madrid currently has two of the highest paid players in world football sat on their bench.

"In terms of debt, Barcelona is reported to have a debt level of €1.5billion and this is despite the European Court of Justice finding that Real Madrid and Barcelona benefitted from illegal state aid. Over the past 10 years, La Liga has spent 32% more on players than Ligue 1 and significantly more on foreign players outside your own league compared to Ligue 1.

"The fact that you publicly and repeatedly take this position against Ligue 1 on this topic and denigrate our league and our clubs is both unacceptable and manifestly false. The