A Paris criminal court has sentenced Mathias Pogba, the elder brother of World Cup-winning soccer star Paul Pogba, to three years in prison, two of which are suspended, following his involvement in a high-profile extortion and kidnapping case.
Mathias, who had already spent time in detention, will serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest with electronic monitoring. This decision aligns with the prosecution’s request. However, Mathias’ lawyer has confirmed plans to appeal the ruling.
The trial stemmed from accusations that Mathias and five other men attempted to extort 13 million euros ($13.6 million) from Paul Pogba in 2022. In March of that year, the Juventus midfielder was reportedly held at gunpoint by hooded men demanding money, claiming Paul owed them financial support due to his success as a global soccer star.
Mathias went on trial last month for “attempted extortion and criminal conspiracy,” while the other defendants faced charges of extortion, abduction, and criminal conspiracy.
One of the key figures in the case, identified as Roushdane K., was sentenced to eight years in prison, while the remaining defendants also received varying jail terms.
The court determined that Paul Pogba had suffered economic losses amounting to 197,000 euros ($204,000) and moral damages valued at 50,000 euros ($52,000). All defendants, excluding Mathias, were ordered to jointly compensate the soccer star for these losses.
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During the investigation, Paul revealed he had already paid 100,000 euros ($104,000) to the group, including his brother, in an attempt to mitigate the threats.
The case gained significant public attention when Mathias Pogba posted a series of threatening messages on social media, promising to reveal “explosive” information about his brother, fellow French star Kylian Mbappé, and Paul’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta.
Mathias, who previously played professional soccer for lower-tier teams in Europe, has seen his career overshadowed by the scandal.
The court’s ruling not only highlights the severity of the crimes but also serves as a stark reminder of the challenges public figures often face within their personal circles. While Paul Pogba continues his soccer career, the ordeal underscores the vulnerability of even the most successful athletes.
As the case concludes, the fallout from this family dispute remains a somber chapter in the life of the Pogba brothers.
