Paul Pogba’s brother, Mathias, has been sentenced to three years in prison in France after being found guilty of attempted extortion against the former Manchester United midfielder. Mathias Pogba, 34, was one of six defendants who stood on trial after being accused of trying to extort €13 million (£10.7m) out of his younger brother.
Paul Pogba, 31, told French investigators that in March 2022 he had been kidnapped and held at gunpoint by two hooded men who demanded that he paid €13m for ‘protection services’. Pogba paid the men €100,000 (£82,500) and was then repeatedly intimidated to hand over more money at France national team’s training centre in Clairefontaine, at his home in Manchester and at Juventus’ training ground in Italy.
![[MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 15: Paul Pogba of France celebrates the victory with his mother Yeo Pogba and his brothers Florentin Pogba, Mathias Pogba following the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_121688117-31c1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Mathias Pogba maintained he was not part of the kidnap plot but on Thursday he was found guilty of ‘committed pressure against his brother Paul and his family in order to ensure payment of the sum of €13m’. The 34-year-old, who played for Wrexham, Crewe, Crawley Town and Guinea’s national team, has been sentenced to three years in prison, two of which are suspended, and has been given a fine of €20,000 (£16,500).
The five other defendants, childhood friends or acquaintances of Paul Pogba, were found guilty of extortion, kidnapping and detention as well as participation in a criminal conspiracy and sentenced to prison terms of up to eight years and fines ranging from €20,000 to €40,000 (£16,500 to £33,000).
