Judicial authorities in Monaco have launched a preliminary investigation into the sponsorship agreement between the football club AS Monaco and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The contract, worth 4.8 million euros, has come under scrutiny following suspicions of money laundering, embezzlement of public funds and corruption, Goal.com reports.
Monaco’s chief prosecutor has opened an investigation following a complaint filed by two anonymous Congolese nationals living in France. They expressed concerns about possible financial abuses hidden behind the sports deal.
At the center of the investigation is a sponsorship deal signed in June 2025, with the slogan “Democratic Republic of Congo – Heart of Africa” on the sleeves of the players’ shirts.
The contract, valid for three seasons, was intended to promote tourism, attract foreign investment and develop local football. However, doubts were immediately raised by opposition politicians and the Congolese diaspora.
Accusations of misuse and corruption
Lawyer Hervé Diakese, legal representative of the applicants, stated that the club’s reputation is being exploited to harm the interest of the Congolese people.
“Although my clients have great respect for Monaco, they believe that individuals have manipulated this reputation to embezzle public funds,” he told AFP.
The investigation focuses mainly on Didier Budimbu, the Minister of Sports of the Democratic Republic of Congo, due to suspicions of violations of public procurement rules, lack of transparency in the budget and lack of a tendering procedure for the contract.
The origin of the funds is being verified.
Authorities in Monaco are trying to trace and verify the origin of 4.8 million euros financed through sponsorship, to determine whether this money represents funds laundered from the embezzlement of public funds.
All financial data and transactions related to the contract will be reviewed by the authorities.
AS Monaco has confirmed its cooperation with investigators. A club spokesman said: “AS Monaco is aware of the investigation and is at the disposal of the competent authorities.”