Six men, including Paul Pogba’s brother Mathias and three of his childhood friends, are standing trial in Paris on charges of blackmail, attempted extortion, and kidnapping.
The case has sent shockwaves through the football world, highlighting a dramatic turn in the life of the Juventus midfielder.
The accused allegedly conspired to extract €13 million from Pogba, accusing him of failing to provide financial support after cutting ties with them early in 2022.
Pogba told investigators that in March 2022, he was tricked into visiting a location where two hooded men armed with assault rifles held him at gunpoint. They demanded payment for “services rendered,” claiming he owed them for years of unreciprocated support.
While Pogba reportedly paid €100,000 under duress, he refused their demands for the larger sum. Incidents of harassment allegedly continued, including threats at the France national team’s training center in Clairefontaine, at Pogba’s homes in Manchester and Italy, and even at Juventus’ training ground.
Further complicating the case is a viral video Mathias released in August 2022, where he accused Paul of casting an evil spell on French teammate Kylian Mbappé.
Pogba denied the allegations and filed criminal complaints in both France and Italy, citing threats and attempted extortion.
According to a police report, the accused formed a “criminal team” intending to extort Pogba and allegedly racked up over €57,000 in bills at an Adidas store in Paris using Pogba’s funds.
Despite denying the charges, the accused claim they were also victims of the unidentified armed men.
This trial comes amid Pogba’s professional struggles, as Juventus terminated his contract following a doping suspension until March 2025.
Mathias, who was not present during the gunpoint incident, faces charges of attempted extortion for allegedly pressuring his brother and their family to pay the demanded sum.
The case has drawn attention to the often-overlooked dangers professional athletes face from those within their inner circles, making it a cautionary tale of trust and betrayal in the world of sports.
