Paul Pogba’s Brother Sentenced to Three Years in Extortion Case
Mathias Pogba, the older brother of French football star Paul Pogba, has been sentenced to a three-year prison term, with two years suspended, following his conviction in an extortion case targeting the former Manchester United midfielder. In addition to the sentence, Mathias was fined €20,000 (£16,500). Despite the severity of the ruling, Mathias will not serve time in a conventional prison but will instead spend one year under electronic surveillance.
The case also implicated five other individuals, who were found guilty of extortion and related offenses. Sentences for the co-defendants ranged from four to eight years, as determined by a Paris court. Among them, Roushdane K received the longest sentence of eight years, while others, including Boubacar C and Mamadou M, faced sentences with varying degrees of suspension.
The extortion scheme dates back to 2022, when Paul Pogba, now 31, alleged he was ambushed by childhood acquaintances who held him at gunpoint and demanded €13 million (£10.8 million). While the footballer reportedly managed to pay €100,000 (£82,600), the ordeal left lasting scars. Speaking about the incident last year, Pogba revealed to Al Jazeera that the experience pushed him to the brink of retiring from football. Reflecting on the dangers of wealth, he stated, “When there is money, you have to be careful. Money changes people. It can break up a family. It can create a war.”
Mathias Pogba, a former professional footballer himself, played for various clubs including Partick Thistle, Wrexham, Crewe Alexandra, and Crawley Town. His most recent stint was with Belfort in France, which he left in 2022.
In response to the sentencing, Mathias’ lawyer, Mbeko Tabula, criticized the ruling as “extremely harsh” and expressed intentions to appeal the decision.
The high-profile case has highlighted the complexities of personal relationships in the lives of public figures, especially those involving significant financial stakes.
For Paul Pogba, the ordeal serves as a stark reminder of how fame and fortune can expose even close familial ties to betrayal and exploitation.
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