PSG Star Lucas Hernandez Accused of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
Paris Saint-Germain defender Lucas Hernandez and his wife face allegations of human trafficking and illegal employment after a Colombian family claims they worked 72-84 hour weeks without contracts, legal documentation, or adequate pay—in what their lawyer calls "modern slavery."
Lucas Hernandez is a 2018 World Cup champion with France. He's a defender for Paris Saint-Germain, one of the world's richest clubs. And according to a complaint filed with prosecutors in Versailles, he and his wife Victoria Triay are accused of human trafficking and illegal employment of a Colombian family.
If true, these allegations paint a picture of exploitation that borders on modern slavery. And they raise serious questions about how some of the world's wealthiest athletes treat the people who work for them.
Let me be clear: these are allegations, not proven facts. But the details reported by Paris Match are disturbing.
Promises of a Better Life
The story begins in June 2024. Marie, a 27-year-old nurse from Bogota, was contacted by Victoria Triay, whom she had met when Triay came to Colombia for surgery.
"She promised me that she would give me legal documents within six months so that I would be in good standing and could travel with them anywhere in the world," Marie told Paris Match. "I accepted because I was excited about it and because she promised to help me with the documents."
In September 2024, Marie arrived in Francewithout a tourist visa—carrying only her passport—and began working at the couple's home in the Yvelines department.
"I arrived illegally. The documents hadn't been prepared yet. She said they were talking to their lawyers to help me, but nothing was ever done," Marie explained.
After a few weeks, the couple said they needed more staff. Marie's mother Jeanne, father André, and two brothers arrived in France between September and October 2024.
"We were promised a good quality of life and that we would be able to stay in France legally," Marie recalled.
72 to 84 Hours Per Week, No Contract
Marie worked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for a salary of €2,000 per month. Her mother worked Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., for the same pay. The men in the family—employed as security guards and caretakers—worked 72 to 84 hours per week, sometimes more, with no days off or vacations.
Marie took care of Triay's 5-year-old daughter, prepared the player's belongings before training, managed Triay's belongings, accompanied her on outings, did the shopping, and organized parties. In the evening, she put the girl to bed around 9 p.m. but had to stay awake until the couple went to bed.
"My job was supposed to be 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for a salary that was totally insufficient for someone working so many hours," Marie said.
The father was paid €3,000 per month, the adult son €2,000, and the minor son—who will turn 18 in February—between €500 and €1,000.
The problem: the hiring of the five employees was not declared to social security or tax authorities. They didn't have pay slips. Their salaries were paid exclusively in cash.
"This is an entire family being deprived of their rights," said Lola Dubois, the plaintiffs' lawyer. "Without employment contracts, they are not entitled to unemployment benefits or adequate social security coverage. Yet this is a professional soccer player, surrounded by numerous lawyers, both in his private life and at his club. The fact that he never deigned to provide them with an employment contract demonstrates the intentional nature of the offense."
Armed Security and a Burglary
The men in the family were reportedly forced to carry weapons to ensure the safety of the Hernandez family: a SIG Sauer P320 alarm pistol, a taser, and tear gas.
In December 2024, André reportedly had to use his weapon during a failed burglary attempt.
"When they broke in, my father and I fought them off, and thanks to us, the burglary didn't happen," Marie said. "I went out with a knife behind the thieves, and my father had to shoot to scare them away. We risked our lives for them."
CCTV footage obtained by Paris Match shows Marie and Victoria Triay in the garden, armed with large kitchen knives, panicked, alongside police officers. The police seized the SIG Sauer P320 before returning it to the couple.
"You Can't Leave"
Marie described intimidating comments from her employers.
"When I worked for them, they would say to me, 'If you leave, you'll be nothing, you won't find work,'" she said. "In the last few days, they would yell at me, 'You can't leave, you have to stay here, your schedule is 24 hours a day and I pay you for that.'"
In October 2025, Marie and her mother were fired following a violent argument. "I told her I was exhausted and couldn't take care of my daughter anymore. One day, she started yelling at me and said, 'You're leaving the house,'" Marie recalled.
It wasn't until October 2025—after Marie and her mother had been dismissed—that Hernandez agreed to draw up employment contracts, according to their lawyer. These contracts stated the employees worked 86.67 hours per month for a gross monthly salary of €1,029—a fraction of what they actually worked.
"These are documents drafted at the last minute in an attempt to regularize the situation," Dubois said.
Modern Slavery
Marie was blunt about her experience.
"We were exploited and humiliated, paid well below what we were owed. They exploit immigrants and their families, promise regularization that never happens, and treat us like slaves."
Dubois, the family's lawyer, concluded: "Lucas Hernandez has only contributed to keeping this family in a deplorable economic and social situation, sometimes with an attitude that borders on modern slavery."
Contacted by Paris Match, Hernandez's agent Frank Hocquemiller said the player and his partner were "stunned" and unaware of the complaint.
Look, I've been covering sports for 20 years. I've seen athletes do incredible things on the field and terrible things off it. But if these allegations are true—and I stress if—this goes way beyond soccer.
This is about human beings who came to France with hope for a better life and allegedly ended up working 24/7 for below minimum wage, with no legal protections, while being told they were worthless and couldn't leave.
That's not a sports story. That's a human rights story. And Lucas Hernandez needs to answer for it.
