Brother of French Football Star Pogba to Stand Trial in Kidnap Case

On Tuesday, September 10, French judges ordered six men, including Mathias Pogba, to stand trial in a case involving the kidnapping and extortion of French footballer Paul Pogba.

The trial follows a two-year investigation into the alleged kidnapping and extortion that began in 2022.

According to Paris prosecutors, five individuals close to Pogba orchestrated a meeting in the Paris suburbs on March 19, 2022, during which Pogba was reportedly abducted by two men who demanded 13 million euros ($14 million) from him.

Mathias Pogba, Paul’s older brother and a former footballer himself, was not present at the meeting but is accused of pressuring Paul for the money afterward.

All the accused deny their involvement, claiming they were victims of armed robbers who assaulted them after Paul Pogba refused to pay.

Prosecutors have charged the three childhood friends and two former acquaintances from Pogba’s hometown in eastern Paris with extortion, illegal restraint, and criminal conspiracy.

Pogba had previously filed a complaint with Italian authorities, alleging that he was targeted in a multimillion-euro blackmail plot.

He claimed that his extortionists threatened to tarnish his reputation by alleging he sought to use a witch doctor to curse fellow French star Kylian Mbappe, which Pogba denies.

The investigation, which began in September 2022, was conducted by both the French police’s anti-gang and central crime units.

Pogba testified that he had initially assisted the group but later refused to pay seven million euros in September 2021. Following his refusal, he distanced himself from the group.

In late September 2022, Mathias Pogba posted videos on social media accusing Paul of abandoning his family and making incriminating claims about him. This followed earlier videos in multiple languages in which Mathias hinted at “great revelations” about his brother.

During the investigation, Mathias Pogba expressed fears for his safety and that of his family, claiming he was manipulated by the other suspects and hoped for a reconciliation with his younger brother.