Six Individuals to Face Trial in Paris Over Blackmail and Extortion of Paul Pogba
A high-profile trial is set to begin in Paris on Tuesday, involving six individuals, including three childhood friends and the brother of former Juventus and French midfielder, Paul Pogba. The group is facing charges of blackmail, attempted extortion, and holding Pogba at gunpoint in a shocking case that has captured the attention of the football world.
The allegations revolve around an alleged scheme to extort €13 million from Pogba, with claims that he was abducted in March 2022 by masked individuals armed with assault rifles. Pogba asserts that the group, which includes his older brother Mathias, turned against him after he reduced financial support to his childhood friends.
Mathias Pogba drew public scrutiny in August 2022 after releasing enigmatic videos online, hinting at “explosive revelations” regarding his younger brother. In these videos, he accused Paul of using black magic on his France teammate Kylian Mbappé. Paul Pogba dismissed these accusations as part of a wider extortion plot and filed criminal complaints in both Italy and France.
Paul Pogba claims that he was tricked into visiting an apartment in Roissy-en-Brie, where he was confronted by armed individuals demanding a hefty sum of money for alleged “services rendered.” Although Pogba reportedly paid €100,000 initially, he refused to comply with further demands.
The footballer recounted facing threats at various locations, including the France national team’s training base, his residence in Manchester, and Juventus’ facilities, where he alleged pressure from the accused. Additionally, Pogba disclosed paying over €57,000 for a shopping spree organized by the group at an Adidas store in Paris.
The five defendants are charged with offenses such as extortion, kidnapping, and participation in a criminal organization. While Mathias Pogba was not physically present during the alleged abduction, he is accused of attempted extortion for his involvement in pressuring his brother to pay the demanded sum.
Mathias has vehemently denied the accusations, asserting that he was manipulated in the situation. In a heartfelt plea, he expressed his desire for reconciliation with his brother, stating, “I hope we can mend our relationship and strengthen our bond once again.”
