Paris Saint-Germain and France defender Lucas Hernandez, a 2018 World Cup champion, is under formal investigation by French prosecutors following explosive allegations of human trafficking and illegal employment. The accusations, detailed in a complaint filed at the Versailles court, stem from claims by a Colombian family of five who say they worked for Hernandez and his partner Victoria Triay from September 2024 to November 2025 without proper legal status, contracts, or social security registration.

The family—comprising a husband, wife, and three children—allege they were recruited after one daughter, Marie, met Triay while working as her nurse during a medical trip to Colombia. Triay reportedly maintained contact and later invited the family to France to assist with household duties, including security, cleaning, cooking, and childcare. According to the complaint, the arrangement lacked any formal employment framework: payments were made in cash, work hours reportedly stretched to 72-84 per week with no days off, and the family was allegedly provided false Spanish identities in February 2025, followed by non-disclosure agreements.

The family’s lawyer, Lola Dubois, described the situation as one of deprivation of rights and exploitation, accusing Hernandez and Triay of treating the workers as invisible labor while benefiting from their services. The complaint frames the case under French laws covering human trafficking and undeclared work, serious offenses that can carry significant prison sentences and fines.

Hernandez, 29, and Triay have vehemently denied wrongdoing in a joint statement released through representatives. They insist they acted in good faith, opening their home to people they believed were friends seeking support. “We opened our home and our lives to people who presented themselves as friends, who sought our kindness and for whom we had genuine affection,” the statement reads. They claim to have been manipulated and betrayed, emphasizing that their intentions were never malicious or in contempt of the law. The couple maintains the relationship began innocently and evolved into what they saw as mutual help, not exploitation.

The investigation, confirmed by the Versailles prosecutor’s office, is in its early stages. Prosecutors are examining evidence including financial records, witness statements, and any documentation related to the family’s entry and stay in France. No charges have been formally pressed yet, but the probe allows authorities to gather facts, interview parties, and determine if the allegations hold merit. Hernandez continues to train and play with PSG amid the scrutiny, though the club has not issued a public comment, likely awaiting further developments.

The case has sent ripples through the football community. Hernandez, who joined PSG from Bayern Munich in 2023 for a club-record fee, is a key part of both club and national team defenses. His past includes a 2021 suspended prison sentence for violating a restraining order related to a domestic incident with then-girlfriend Amelia Ossa Llorente, but the couple reconciled and moved forward. This new scandal, however, strikes at a different level—allegations of systemic exploitation rather than personal conflict.

Public reaction online has been polarized. Supporters point to Hernandez’s charitable work and family-oriented image, questioning the timing and motives of the complaint. Critics highlight the power imbalance between a high-profile millionaire athlete and vulnerable migrant workers, noting how undocumented labor can easily slide into abuse. Colombian community groups in France have called for transparency, while some media outlets draw parallels to other celebrity cases involving household staff exploitation.

The family’s account, as relayed through their lawyer and media interviews, paints a picture of gradual entrapment: initial promises of fair work and support, followed by increasing demands, isolation, and pressure to remain silent via NDAs. They claim fear of deportation and financial dependence kept them compliant until they sought legal help after leaving the household in late 2025.

For Hernandez, the fallout could extend beyond legal risks. Sponsors, national team selection, and public perception hang in the balance if the investigation substantiates claims. French authorities emphasize the presumption of innocence, with the probe focused on verifying facts rather than rushing to judgment.

As details emerge, the story underscores broader issues in elite sports: the invisible labor supporting lavish lifestyles, migration vulnerabilities, and the fine line between generosity and exploitation. What began as a private domestic arrangement has exploded into a national headline, forcing one of France’s defensive pillars into the spotlight for reasons far removed from the pitch. Whether the allegations prove founded or fabricated, the damage to reputations and trust may linger long after any verdict.