Paris, France – Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defender and French international Lucas Hernandez, along with his partner Victoria Triay, are the subject of a formal judicial investigation into allegations of human trafficking ("traite d'êtres humains") and undeclared work ("travail dissimulé"). The probe, opened by the Versailles prosecutor's office, follows a complaint filed on January 14, 2026, by a Colombian family of five who claim they were exploited while employed in the couple's household from September 2024 to November 2025.
The accusations, first reported by French outlet Paris Match on January 21, 2026, and confirmed by multiple sources including Reuters, L'Équipe, RTL, and Le Parisien, center on claims that the family—comprising a mother, father, and their three children—performed various domestic roles without proper legal contracts, social security coverage, or fair compensation. The family alleges they were promised regularization of their immigration status but never received it, leading to prolonged irregular employment under grueling conditions.
According to the complainants' lawyer, Me Lola Dubois, the family arrived in France in an irregular situation after one daughter, identified in reports as Marie (27 years old), was contacted by Triay while working as her nurse in Colombia in June 2024. Triay allegedly offered her a job in France with assurances of official documentation allowing legal work within six months. The rest of the family later joined, taking on duties including security, guardianship, housekeeping, cooking, childcare, and multi-tasking roles.
Dubois described the situation as akin to "modern slavery," stating the family worked "between 70 and 80 hours per week, without paid leave, without vacations, without documents establishing employee rights." Payments were reportedly made only in cash, ranging from approximately €500 to €3,000 monthly depending on the period, far below French minimum wage standards for such hours. The family claims they risked their lives during incidents, including an attempted burglary at Hernandez's residence in December 2024, where the father allegedly fired a warning shot to deter intruders.
In February 2025, the family reportedly signed confidentiality agreements and were issued fake identity cards. Following a dispute between the daughter and Triay, Hernandez allegedly provided retroactive part-time employment contracts in October 2025. These documents described the workers as "multi-skilled part-time employees" working around 86 hours per month for a gross salary of €1,029 (approximately £896). Dubois characterized these as "last-minute documents drawn up in an attempt to regularize the situation," arguing they demonstrate intent to conceal the offenses given Hernandez's access to extensive legal resources through his personal and club affairs.
"An entire family is deprived of its rights," Dubois told Paris Match. "Without employment contracts, they are not entitled to unemployment benefits or adequate social security coverage. Yet, this is a professional football player, surrounded by numerous lawyers... The fact that he never bothered to provide them with an employment contract demonstrates the intent behind the offence."
Hernandez, 29, a 2018 World Cup winner with France and a key PSG defender, and Triay vehemently deny the allegations. In a statement provided to multiple outlets including Reuters and Paris Match, the couple expressed shock and portrayed themselves as victims of manipulation.
"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 read. "These people shared our lives with respect and dignity. We helped them, supported them, and believed them when they assured us that they were in the process of regularising their situation. That trust has been betrayed."
They continued: "Unfortunately, we are not the first to experience such a situation. Like many others before us, we were manipulated by emotional stories and false assurances. We never acted with malicious intent or in contempt of the law. We acted as human beings and learned, painfully, that compassion can be exploited."
The couple described the public accusations as deeply painful, emphasizing that the matter is now under legal review. "This matter is now being dealt with through the appropriate legal channels, where the facts—not the narratives circulating on social media—belong. We call for decency, restraint, and respect. We will not participate further in online speculation."
Hernandez's agent, Frank Hocquemiller, told Paris Match that the couple was "completely taken aback" by the claims.
The Versailles prosecutor's office confirmed the opening of the investigation, which has been assigned to the Saint-Germain-en-Laye research brigade. The probe examines potential violations of French labor laws and anti-trafficking statutes, which carry severe penalties including fines and imprisonment.
The case has drawn significant attention in France, where high-profile figures face scrutiny over employment practices involving migrant workers. It highlights broader issues of irregular immigration, labor exploitation, and the vulnerabilities faced by undocumented workers in affluent households. Critics argue the allegations, if proven, reflect systemic problems in how some wealthy individuals handle domestic staff from abroad.
Hernandez, who joined PSG from Bayern Munich in 2023 for a reported €45 million fee, has faced off-field challenges before, including a 2019 domestic violence conviction that led to a six-month suspended sentence and community service. On the pitch, he remains a vital part of PSG's defense under coach Luis Enrique, contributing to the club's Ligue 1 dominance and Champions League campaigns.
PSG has not issued an official comment on the investigation as of January 22, 2026, though club sources indicate close monitoring of developments. The French Football Federation (FFF) and Ligue 1 authorities typically await judicial outcomes before considering disciplinary measures.
The family ceased working for the couple in November 2025. Their lawyer maintains the complaint seeks justice for exploited immigrants, rejecting notions that the claims are fabricated or motivated by malice.
As the investigation proceeds, both sides await formal proceedings where evidence will be presented. The outcome could have lasting implications for Hernandez's reputation, career, and the broader discourse on migrant labor rights in Europe.
This developing story underscores the complexities of personal relationships intersecting with legal and ethical responsibilities, particularly for public figures in sports.
