Legal dispute over Ousmane Dembélé's €200,000 birthday gift to his mother

Thursday 16 October 2025 - 15:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Legal dispute over Ousmane Dembélé's €200,000 birthday gift to his mother

The mother of football star Ousmane Dembélé, Fatimata Dembélé, has taken legal action to challenge the taxation of a €200,000 transfer her son made to her in 2017. The administrative court of Rennes is assessing the case, with the French tax authorities treating the sum as taxable income rather than a gift.

A matter of interpretation

According to Fatimata Dembélé’s lawyer, Me Hubert Lefebvre, the transfer was intended as a birthday gift to mark her 40th birthday. However, the tax administration argues it should be classified as taxable income due to its circumstances. The case hinges on the interpretation of tax laws regarding financial transfers.

The public rapporteur argued during the hearing that the taxation was justified, citing that Fatimata Dembélé was employed by a company managing her son's image and that the transfer occurred six months after her birthday. Additionally, the funds were deposited into an undeclared Spanish bank account, according to reports by Le Télégramme.

Contesting the tax penalties

Fatimata Dembélé, who did not attend the hearing, is seeking relief from the additional income tax imposed on the 2017 transfer. This includes a special contribution for high incomes, social charges, and associated penalties.

For the transaction to be recognized as a non-taxable gift, it must meet criteria of proportionality to the giver’s income and be tied to significant life events. Me Lefebvre emphasized that there was no intent of tax fraud and that the transfer was a gesture of generosity tied to a milestone birthday.

Context and decision pending

The case comes just a month after Ousmane Dembélé, now a Paris Saint-Germain player and former Ballon d’Or winner, emotionally thanked his mother during the award ceremony in Paris. The court’s decision is expected in the coming weeks.