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Six individuals will face trial in Paris starting Tuesday, including three childhood friends and the brother of former Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba. They stand accused of blackmail, attempted extortion, and holding Pogba at gunpoint in a shocking case that has sent ripples through the football world.
The charges centre around an alleged attempt to extort €13 million from Pogba, with claims he was abducted in March 2022 by hooded men armed with assault rifles. Pogba has alleged the group, which includes his older brother Mathias, turned on him after he reduced financial support to his childhood friends.
Mathias Pogba gained attention in August 2022 after releasing cryptic videos online, promising “explosive revelations” about his younger brother. In these videos, he accused Paul of casting spells on his France teammate Kylian Mbappé. Paul Pogba dismissed the allegations as part of a broader extortion campaign, filing criminal complaints in both Italy and France.
According to Paul Pogba, he was lured to an apartment in Roissy-en-Brie, where he was threatened by two armed men demanding €13 million for “services rendered.” Pogba reportedly paid €100,000 at the time but refused to meet further demands.
The footballer also recounted incidents at the France national team’s training base, his Manchester home, and Juventus’ facilities, where he claimed to have faced pressure from the accused. Pogba also paid over €57,000 for a shopping spree by the group at an Adidas store in Paris.
The five accused face charges of extortion, kidnapping, and forming a criminal gang. Mathias Pogba, though not present during the alleged abduction, is charged with attempted extortion for his role in pressuring his brother to pay the money.
Mathias has denied the accusations, claiming he was a “puppet” in the affair. In an emotional appeal, he expressed hope for reconciliation with his brother, saying, “I hope our bond will be strengthened again.”
