Mbappe’s mother imposes mobile phone ban at Caen training centre

Fayza Lamari, the mother of France and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe, has caused widespread debate in France by imposing a strict ban on mobile phone use at Stade Malherbe Caen, the club in which her son owns the majority shareholding.

The decision, reported by French newspaper L’Equipe, is intended to help develop the club’s young players and encourage greater unity and interaction among them by removing the distractions created by smartphones.

The newspaper did not specify Lamari’s official position or administrative role at the club, which suffered relegation to the third tier of French football last season.

Mathieu Bodmer, Caen’s new sporting director, has welcomed the move and described it as a strategic step towards building a stronger future for the club.

“Mbappe’s family project with the young players interests me enormously. If you saw what is being put in place in education, accommodation, nutrition and humanitarian support, you would understand the scale of the work being done,” Bodmer said.

“Fayza has imposed a total ban on mobile phones inside the training centre. It is a wonderful and bold decision that has allowed the young players to talk, interact and live together much better than before.”

Mbappe investment

Mbappe, who currently plays for Real Madrid, acquired the majority shareholding in Caen in September 2024.

His investment fund, Coalition Capital, committed €15m to purchase 80% of the club’s shares. He also paid a substantial part of Caen’s accumulated debts. The remaining 20% is owned by the club’s current chairman, Pierre-Antoine Capton.

However, Mbappe and his family have faced intense criticism from angry Caen supporters, who hold them largely responsible for the club’s dramatic relegation to the third tier.

The fall represents a historic setback and is regarded as one of the worst crises in the history of the club.

Bodmer rejected the criticism, saying the family should not be blamed for problems that existed before their arrival.

“I think these criticisms are completely unfair, and I am not saying that only because Kylian is the club’s main owner. There were serious difficulties already in place before the Mbappe family arrived,” he said.

“Yes, what happened was the natural result of mistakes accumulated over several years, as happens at every club going through a crisis. I have enormous respect for his brave investment at a time when the circumstances were extremely complicated and full of risk.”

Bodmer, who played for Caen between 1998 and 2003, also said he had not spoken directly to Mbappe since taking up his new role.

“When we genuinely need to communicate, it will happen naturally and automatically,” he said. “Kylian has an exceptional football career that he must manage and focus on. For me, my greatest satisfaction and most important objective is to tell Kylian: listen, never worry about us, we will manage things efficiently and professionally.”

Although her formal title at Caen remains unclear, L’Equipe reported that Bodmer communicates far more regularly with Lamari. She is said to devote considerable time and effort to the club’s day-to-day affairs, making her the most influential figure behind strategic decisions at Caen.