Kylian Mbappé and several France internationals have voiced their objection to a World Cup betting promotion that uses their images without personal consent. The campaign was run by Betclic, an official partner of the French Football Federation (FFF), but the players' grievance is directed squarely at the federation itself, not the bookmaker.
Why the players are upset
The promotion, tied to the upcoming World Cup, features the likenesses of Mbappé and other stars to encourage bets on the tournament. Players argue that being associated with gambling in this way conflicts with their personal values and public responsibilities. Mbappé, who has previously spoken out against betting advertising, is reportedly leading the pushback among the squad.
Betclic holds an official partnership with the FFF, which means the federation authorized the use of player images for the campaign. That's why the anger is directed at the federation rather than the betting company. The players feel the FFF should have consulted them or at least informed them before letting a betting partner use their faces.
The French Football Federation's position
So far, the FFF has not issued a public response to the players' objections. The federation's relationship with Betclic is contractual, and the promotion likely falls within the rights granted by that deal. But the players' public stance puts pressure on the FFF to address the disconnect between commercial agreements and player consent.
This isn't the first time French players have clashed with the federation over image rights. Earlier this year, similar tensions arose over sponsorship deals that players felt didn't align with their personal brands.
What happens next
The question now is whether the FFF will pull the promotion, renegotiate with Betclic, or find a way to placate the players. Mbappé and his teammates have made their opposition clear, but the federation holds the legal rights to use the images under existing contracts. Any resolution will require a conversation — and possibly a concession — from the FFF.
