Paul Pogba’s older brother Mathias Pogba, has been sentenced to three years in prison, two of which will be suspended, after being convicted in an extortion case that targeted the World Cup-winning midfielder.
The verdict was handed down on Thursday afternoon at the Paris Court of Justice.
Pogba, 35, was found guilty of organized extortion and attempted extortion as part of a scheme that allegedly involved him and a group of accomplices attempting to extort €13 million (£10.98 million) from his famous brother.
The court also ruled that Mathias Pogba could serve the one-year portion of his sentence under house arrest, wearing an electronic bracelet, rather than being incarcerated.
In addition to Mathias Pogba, five other men were found guilty in the case and received custodial sentences ranging from four to eight years for their roles in the plot. The charges stemmed from a series of incidents in which Paul Pogba was allegedly targeted by a group of individuals close to him.
€13m euro blackmail plot
Ex #Guinea forward Mathias Pogba sentenced to three years in prison, two of which were suspended, for “extortion by an organised gang” and a plot to extort money from his brother, French international Paul.
via @lequipe [French] https://t.co/4frD3iYPxs pic.twitter.com/HCuleY06rW
— Oluwashina Okeleji (@oluwashina) December 19, 2024
Kidnapping and Extortion Plot
The extortion case began in March 2022, when Paul Pogba, 31, filed a formal complaint after being kidnapped and robbed by two masked and armed men. The perpetrators allegedly demanded a staggering €13 million for “protection services.”
Reports suggested that the plot was carefully orchestrated by people in Pogba’s inner circle, including his brother Mathias.
After the initial threat, the group reportedly continued to intimidate Pogba, pressuring him to pay the ransom, claiming he had abandoned them after achieving international fame.
Mathias Pogba, brother of Paul Pogba, has been sentenced by a Paris court to three years in prison, with two years suspended, for his involvement in an $11 million blackmail plot against his OWN brother. Additionally, Mathias was fined $16,500. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/GIhJ1eXyQM
— Pubity Sport (@pubitysport) December 19, 2024
They also allegedly attempted to tarnish the footballer’s reputation by spreading false and damaging accusations, such as claiming he had hired a witch doctor to cast a spell on his France teammate, Kylian Mbappé.
During the investigation, it emerged that Paul Pogba’s brother had not been directly involved in the kidnapping but was linked to the broader extortion operation.
Financial Demands and False Allegations
According to French media outlets, including Le Parisien, Paul Pogba had also been coerced into paying €100,000 (£84,423) to the extortionists.
As the investigation unfolded, Pogba revealed that the group had also attempted to blackmail him by making further wild claims, including alleging that he had abandoned his family.
One of the most sensational accusations was made by Mathias, who claimed that his brother had consulted a witch doctor to cast a spell on Mbappé. Pogba vehemently denied these allegations, describing them as “completely false.”
The Trial
After a two-year investigation, the Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that Mathias Pogba, along with five other men, would stand trial for their involvement in the extortion scheme.
The trial took place over the course of a week, with the court ultimately concluding that Mathias Pogba had been involved in organized extortion but not in the kidnapping itself. The charge of kidnapping was not retained after the trial.
READ MORE:Real Madrid clinch Intercontinental Cup with dominant victory
In addition to his prison sentence, Mathias has been ordered to pay a €20,000 (£16,500) fine. His lawyer has indicated that they will appeal the decision, which could delay the final resolution of the case.
Impact on Paul Pogba’s Career
The case has had significant personal and professional ramifications for Paul Pogba. The Frenchman, who has been embroiled in legal and sporting controversies, including a doping ban that was reduced earlier this year, now faces the challenge of rebuilding his career.
Pogba had been sidelined for a lengthy period after failing a doping test in 2022, but with his ban reduced, he is set to return to football in 2025.
The ongoing legal saga involving his brother Mathias has only added to the turbulent period for the Pogba family. Despite the public nature of the case, Paul has largely kept a low profile throughout the legal proceedings.
As Mathias Pogba prepares to appeal the court’s decision, the case serves as a reminder of the darker side of fame and fortune, where even family ties can be exploited for financial gain.
