On Tuesday, September 10, French judges ordered six men to stand trial in a kidnapping and extortion case involving French footballer Paul Pogba, with Pogba’s brother Mathias among the accused......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The trial follows a two-year investigation into the alleged extortion and kidnapping of Pogba, a high-profile case that surfaced in 2022.
According to Paris prosecutors, five individuals close to the World Cup winner are suspected of meticulously planning a meeting in the Paris suburbs on March 19, 2022, where Pogba was kidnapped by two unidentified men who demanded 13 million euros ($14 million).
Mathias Pogba, a former striker, was not present at the meeting but is suspected of exerting pressure on his younger brother to comply with the demands, prosecutors allege.
All the accused deny the charges, claiming they were victims of armed robbers and were assaulted after Pogba refused to pay.
Prosecutors have called for the three childhood friends and two former acquaintances from Pogba’s hometown in eastern Paris, who were present on the night, to be tried for extortion, illegal detention, and criminal conspiracy.
Pogba had previously reported to Italian prosecutors that he was targeted by a multi-million-euro blackmail scheme. He alleged that his extortionists threatened to tarnish his reputation by claiming he had sought the services of a “marabout,” or witch doctor, to cast a spell on fellow France star Kylian Mbappe, which Pogba denies.
The French investigation, launched in September 2022 and conducted by both the anti-gang and central crime units of French police, revealed that Pogba had initially cooperated with the group but later refused to hand over seven million euros in September 2021. He subsequently distanced himself from the group.
In late September 2022, Mathias Pogba posted incriminating videos on social media accusing his brother of abandoning the family, following a previous video promising significant revelations about Paul Pogba. During the investigation, Mathias claimed he feared for his and his family’s safety, said he was manipulated by the other suspects, and expressed hopes for reconciliation with his younger brother.