Six individuals, including childhood friends and the brother of French and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, are set to stand trial in Paris on Tuesday. The charges include blackmail, attempted extortion of millions of euros, and holding Pogba at gunpoint.
This high-profile case has sent shockwaves through the football community, particularly as three of the accused are childhood friends and one is Mathias Pogba, the player’s older brother.
The trial adds to the recent struggles of Paul Pogba, who has faced a turbulent career since helping France win the 2018 World Cup. Pogba, who scored in the final against Croatia, has since been plagued by injuries. His return to Juventus in 2022, after leaving Manchester United, was marred by fitness issues. Earlier this month, Juventus terminated his contract following a doping suspension that sidelines him until March 2025.
The Paris court will hear allegations that the six defendants attempted to extort €13 million ($13.5 million) from Pogba.
In August 2022, Mathias Pogba released a video on social media claiming he would reveal damaging information about his younger brother. Later, Mathias accused Paul of using witchcraft against France teammate Kylian Mbappé. These claims followed threats and blackmail attempts, according to statements from Pogba’s legal team and his agent Rafaela Pimenta.
Paul Pogba told investigators that in March 2022, childhood acquaintances from his Parisian neighborhood lured him into a trap. He was then allegedly held at gunpoint by two masked men armed with assault rifles, demanding €13 million for what they described as “services rendered.” Pogba claimed he initially paid €100,000 under duress.
The extortion attempts reportedly extended to the French national team’s training camp at Clairefontaine, his home in Manchester, and Juventus’ facilities. Pogba also alleged that the same group incurred a €57,000 shopping bill at an Adidas store in Paris, which he was pressured to settle.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Pogba shared with Al-Jazeera last season: “Off the pitch, it’s been extremely difficult. It’s been mentally exhausting. Money changes people; it can tear families apart or even spark conflict.”
While Pogba’s lawyer Pierre-Jean Douvier declined to comment on the case, the accused have denied wrongdoing. One of their lawyers, Karim Morand-Lahouazi, described the relationship as amicable, adding that while Pogba may have offered financial assistance, it was part of a friendly dynamic.
