Mathias Pogba, the elder brother of French footballer Paul Pogba, has been sentenced by a Paris court to three years in prison, with two years suspended, for his involvement in a high-profile extortion case.
The court ruled on Thursday that Mathias Pogba could serve his one-year sentence at home with an electronic bracelet. He was also fined €20,000 for his role in an attempted extortion of €13 million from his younger brother in 2022.
This case, involving six men linked to Paul Pogba, has sent shockwaves through the French football community. Among the accused were three childhood friends and Mathias himself, raising questions about betrayal and family ties.
The other five individuals involved were found guilty of extortion, kidnapping, and detention. They received prison sentences ranging from five to eight years, along with fines of €20,000 to €40,000.
The mastermind of the case, identified as Roushdane K., was sentenced to eight years in prison and remains in custody.
Mathias Pogba’s lawyer, Mbeko Tabula, expressed disappointment with the judgment, calling it “extremely harsh” and confirming plans to appeal.
“He’s obviously in a state of shock,” said Tabula. “From the beginning, he has maintained his innocence, stating that he was manipulated, coerced, and pressured. He insists he would never intentionally harm his brother.”
The extortion attempt reportedly began in March 2022, when Paul Pogba was lured by childhood friends from his hometown, a suburb of Paris. He claimed that he was forcibly taken and held at gunpoint by two men armed with assault rifles.
The attackers allegedly demanded €13 million, claiming it was for “services rendered” and accusing him of not providing financial assistance.
Pogba told investigators that he initially paid €100,000 under duress.
In August 2022, Mathias Pogba posted a video on social media promising “explosive revelations” about his brother, further escalating the case.
Despite Mathias’s claims of innocence, the court found substantial evidence of his involvement in the extortion plot.
