Ligue 1 McDonald's: corruption investigation opened into partnership between AS Monaco and DR Congo

A preliminary investigation has been opened by the Monaco public prosecutor's office into the sponsorship agreement between AS Monaco FC (Ligue 1 McDonald's) and the Ministry of Sports and Leisure of the Democratic Republic of Congo (via its tourism brand R.D.Congo Cœur de l'Afrique), confirmed Stéphane Thibault, attorney general of the Principality, to the French daily L’Équipe on 02/03/2026.

Announced by the club on 24/06/2025, this agreement provides for the display of the ‘R.D.Congo Cœur de l'Afrique’ logo on the sleeve of Monaco's kits for a three-season period (2025-2028), as well as initiatives aimed at supporting the professionalisation of football in the DRC.

The investigation was launched following a complaint filed by the French National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) with the Monegasque judicial authorities. The PNF itself had been referred to on 04/09 by two Congolese nationals who remained anonymous in the proceedings, who filed a complaint for money laundering, embezzlement of public funds and corruption. According to this complaint, the agreement, worth €4.8m…