Paul Pogba’s Brother Sentenced in High-Profile Extortion Case

 

Mathias Pogba, the older brother of French football star Paul Pogba, has been sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, in a sensational extortion case that has shocked the French football community.

The Paris court ruling, delivered on December 19, 2024, allows Mathias to serve the remaining year of his sentence under electronic surveillance instead of incarceration. In addition to the prison term, he was fined €20,000 for his involvement in the attempted extortion of €13 million from Paul Pogba in 2022. The court found Mathias guilty of exerting pressure on his younger brother, as well as his family and business associates, in an effort to secure the funds.

Five other men involved in the case were also convicted of extortion, kidnapping, unlawful detention, and participation in a criminal conspiracy. They received prison sentences ranging from three to eight years, along with fines of €20,000 to €40,000. Roushdane K., identified as the mastermind behind the scheme, was handed the heaviest sentence—eight years in prison.

Mathias Pogba’s lawyer, Mbeko Tabula, criticized the ruling as “extremely harsh” and confirmed plans to appeal. According to Tabula, Mathias has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming he was coerced into involvement and manipulated by others. “He is in a state of shock,” Tabula stated, emphasizing that Mathias would never intentionally harm his brother.

The case dates back to March 2022 when Paul Pogba alleged he had been lured by childhood friends in a plot that escalated into threats of violence. According to Paul, he was abducted and held at gunpoint by two masked men armed with assault rifles, who demanded €13 million in exchange for alleged “services rendered.” Paul stated he ultimately paid €100,000 but refused to meet the larger demand.

The situation became public in August 2022 when Mathias Pogba released a video on social media promising “explosive” revelations about his younger brother.

The scandal has stunned the French football world, particularly as it involved close associates of the Pogba family, including childhood friends from the Parisian suburb where Paul and Mathias grew up. The case has highlighted the dark intersections of fame, wealth, and personal betrayal.

Paul Pogba, who has faced significant challenges in his football career due to injuries, has not commented publicly on the sentencing but previously expressed heartbreak over the betrayal by those he once trusted.

While the verdict brings some closure to the legal proceedings, the case’s fallout continues to reverberate, raising concerns about the vulnerability of high-profile athletes to exploitation by those within their inner circles.