Paul Pogba’s Brother Sentenced in Extortion Case: A Deep Dive into the Drama
In a dramatic turn of events that has captivated the sports world, Mathias Pogba, the brother of World Cup winner Paul Pogba, was sentenced by a Paris criminal court to three years in prison, with two of those years suspended. This sentencing, which took place on Thursday, is the latest chapter in a saga that has been unfolding since 2022, involving allegations of extortion and kidnapping.
Mathias Pogba, who has already spent time in detention, will serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, monitored electronically. This outcome aligns with the prosecution’s request, although Mathias’s lawyer has indicated plans to appeal the ruling. The case proceeded without the presence of the former Manchester United and Juventus player, Paul Pogba.
The court’s decision followed an investigation into whether Paul Pogba was the target of an extortion scheme orchestrated by his brother and childhood friends. Mathias Pogba and five other men were ordered to stand trial, facing charges of attempted extortion and criminal conspiracy. The five accomplices, identified only by their first names, demanded a staggering €13 million ($13.6m) from the France midfielder. The situation escalated to the point where Paul Pogba was reportedly held at gunpoint by hooded men in March 2022.
The defendants were accused of extortion, abduction, and confinement to facilitate a crime, as well as criminal conspiracy. Roushdane K., believed to be the mastermind behind the blackmail, received an eight-year prison sentence, while the others also faced jail terms. The court found that Paul Pogba had suffered economic losses of €197,000 ($204,000) and moral losses of €50,000 ($52,000), ordering all the defendants except Mathias Pogba to jointly compensate the former Juve player.
During the investigation, Paul Pogba admitted to paying €100,000 ($104,000) to the organized group, which included his brother. The case gained public attention when Mathias Pogba posted threats on social media, promising to reveal “explosive” information about his brother, fellow French star Kylian Mbappé, and Paul Pogba’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta. Mathias, who also pursued a career in football, mostly played for lower-tier teams in Europe.
Paul Pogba, once celebrated as one of the world’s top midfielders, has found himself in the spotlight more for his off-field issues than his on-field prowess in recent years. Earlier this month, Juventus announced a “mutual agreement” with Pogba to terminate his contract, despite the France World Cup winner having his doping ban reduced last month.
The Serie A club appeared less than eager to reintegrate Pogba after his four-year doping ban was reduced to 18 months, following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Pogba will be eligible to resume his career in March. His positive test for testosterone in August last year led to the maximum punishment by Italy’s anti-doping court. However, CAS judges reduced Pogba’s ban, citing a lack of intent and attributing the positive test to an accidental intake of a supplement prescribed by a medical doctor in Florida. Pogba’s contract with Juventus was originally set to expire in June 2026.
In 2016, Pogba made headlines by becoming the then-most expensive player in history, transferring from Juventus to Manchester United for a fee of €105 million ($116m). Unfortunately, injuries limited his appearances to just eight Serie A matches in his second stint with the club before his ban last year.
- Mathias Pogba sentenced to three years, two suspended.
- Paul Pogba extorted for €13 million by brother and friends.
- Juventus cancels Pogba’s contract amid doping ban reduction.
This case has not only been a personal ordeal for Paul Pogba but also a significant story in the sports world, highlighting the complex interplay between personal relationships and professional responsibilities.
Originally Written by: Reuters
