PARIS CRIMINAL COURT SENTENCING
Mathias Pogba, brother of World Cup winner Paul Pogba, was sentenced on Thursday to three years in prison, two of which are suspended, for extortion and kidnapping. The Paris criminal court ruled that Mathias, who had already served time in detention, will complete the remainder of his sentence under house arrest with electronic monitoring. The sentencing aligns with the prosecution’s request, though Mathias’ lawyer announced plans to appeal the decision.
This high-profile case unfolded without the presence of Paul Pogba, the former Manchester United and Juventus star, in court. An earlier investigation alleged that Paul Pogba was targeted in an extortion scheme orchestrated by his brother and childhood acquaintances in 2022.
EXTORTION DETAILS AND COURT PROCEEDINGS
Mathias Pogba and five other men were accused of attempting to extort €13 million ($13.6 million) from Paul Pogba. According to court documents, the scheme involved intimidating the midfielder, with hooded men holding him at gunpoint in March 2022. The group allegedly demanded financial support from Pogba, citing his success as an international star. Charges against them included extortion, abduction, confinement to facilitate a crime, and criminal conspiracy.
Among the defendants, Roushdane K., described as the mastermind behind the blackmail, received an eight-year prison sentence. The other defendants were also handed jail terms.
The court ruled that Paul Pogba suffered significant losses, both financially and emotionally. Reports indicated economic damages of €197,000 ($204,000) and moral damages of €50,000 ($52,000). All defendants, except Mathias Pogba, were ordered to collectively compensate Paul Pogba. During the investigation, Paul admitted to paying €100,000 ($104,000) to the group, which included his brother, in an attempt to resolve the situation.
PUBLIC FALLOUT AND SOCIAL MEDIA THREATS
The case gained widespread attention after Mathias Pogba posted threats on social media, promising to expose “explosive” revelations about his brother, fellow French star Kylian Mbappé, and Paul Pogba’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta. While Mathias Pogba had a football career of his own, playing for lower-tier European teams, his actions have largely overshadowed his professional legacy.
PAUL POGBA’S TROUBLED CAREER
Once regarded as one of the world’s best midfielders, Paul Pogba has been in the news more for off-field controversies than his athletic achievements in recent years. Earlier this month, Juventus mutually agreed to terminate Pogba’s contract, even after his four-year doping ban was reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Pogba tested positive for testosterone in August 2023, leading to the maximum penalty imposed by Italy’s anti-doping court. However, CAS acknowledged a lack of intent and determined the positive test resulted from a supplement mistakenly prescribed by a Florida-based doctor. The reduced ban will allow Pogba to resume his career in March 2025.
The Mathias Pogba case highlights the challenges faced by high-profile athletes in balancing personal relationships and professional success. For Paul Pogba, the ordeal underscores the complexities of navigating fame while dealing with deeply personal betrayals.
As Pogba prepares for his potential return to football in March 2025, his journey serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of fame and the importance of trust in personal and professional relationships. Meanwhile, Mathias Pogba’s sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the legal consequences of criminal actions, even within familial ties.
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