Football, Family, and Betrayal: Paris Trial Uncovers Alleged €13M Blackmail Plot Against Paul Pogba Involving Childhood Friends and Brother
Six men, including three childhood friends and Mathias Pogba—brother of former France and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba—are set to face trial in Paris on Tuesday. The group is accused of blackmail, extortion, and holding Pogba at gunpoint in a case that has sent shockwaves through the football world.
A Shocking Betrayal
The trial stems from allegations that the group attempted to extort €13 million ($13.5 million) from the World Cup winner. Pogba claims he was abducted in March 2022 by hooded men armed with assault rifles and forced to pay for “services rendered.”
According to Pogba, the ordeal began in Roissy-en-Brie, the Paris suburb where he and Mathias grew up. It continued at various locations, including France’s national training center and Juventus’ facilities. While Pogba reportedly paid €100,000, he resisted further demands.
Police investigations also revealed that Pogba had covered a €57,000 bill racked up by his friends at an Adidas store in Paris.
Brother Against Brother
Mathias Pogba, who gained attention in August 2022 by posting cryptic videos promising explosive revelations about his younger brother, is accused of pressuring Paul to pay the demanded sum. Mathias also made sensational claims that Paul had used witchcraft to target his French teammate Kylian Mbappé—a claim Paul has vehemently denied.
Mathias insists he was a mere “puppet” in the extortion scheme and has expressed a desire to reconcile with his brother, saying,
“I hope our bond will be strengthened again.”
The Footballer’s Struggles
The trial comes as Paul Pogba faces professional setbacks. His contract with Juventus was terminated earlier this month following a doping suspension that bars him from playing until March 2025.
Despite the personal and professional turmoil, Pogba told investigators in September 2023 that his bond with the accused remains complex.
“Despite everything that’s happened, they’ll always have a place in my heart… they were like my family,”
he said.
Charges and Defense
All six accused men deny the allegations. They claim they, too, were victims of the unidentified gunmen who allegedly orchestrated the abduction. Prosecutors, however, describe them as a “criminal gang” intent on exploiting Pogba’s wealth.
The defendants face charges ranging from extortion and kidnapping to forming a criminal conspiracy. Mathias is charged with attempted extortion and involvement in the criminal gang.
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