Paul Pogba’s Brother Handed Three-Year Sentence in Shocking Extortion Case

In a courtroom drama that has gripped the football world, Mathias Pogba, the elder sibling of ex-Manchester United star Paul Pogba, has been sentenced to a three-year prison term—two years of which are suspended—following his conviction in an audacious extortion plot against the French national.

Mathias, who faces a hefty fine of €20,000 (£16,500), will be fitted with an electronic monitoring device instead of serving immediate jail time. This curious twist underscores a narrative as perplexing as any seen on the pitch.

Simultaneously, five co-defendants were handed varying sentences, ranging from four to eight years, for their roles in the same grim saga, leaving a bitter aftertaste in the glossy world of elite football.

The shocking details of the case reveal that Paul Pogba, now 31, was the victim of a vile scheme orchestrated by individuals he called “childhood friends.” He disclosed the harrowing experience where he was held at gunpoint in 2022 and coerced into paying an exorbitant €13m (£10.8m). The tragic irony is that he paid a mere €100,000 (£82,600) before eventually going public with the whole affair.

In the aftermath of this turbulent ruling, Mathias Pogba’s lawyer Mbeko Tabula decried the sentencing as “extremely harsh,” boldly proclaiming, “I think we will appeal.” This statement underscores the legal maneuverings likely to follow in what remains a highly scrutinized case.

The five accomplices were also dealt with firmly, with prison sentences outlined as follows: Roushdane K received eight years, Boubacar C was given four years (two suspended), Adama C five years, Mamadou M five years (with 12 months suspended), and Machikour K four years (three suspended). The severity of these sentences paints a stark picture of the judicial system’s stance against such nefarious activities.

Paul Pogba, in previous interviews—including a revealing conversation with Al Jazeera—had even considered retirement from the beautiful game due to the traumatic experience of extortion that he faced. In his own words, “When there is money you have to be careful. Money changes people. It can break up a family. It can create a war.”

Once a promising talent, Mathias Pogba played for clubs like Partick Thistle, Wrexham, Crewe Alexandra, and Crawley Town, with his final professional stint at Belfort in France, retiring in 2022. Now, his name is entangled in a saga that transcends football, leaving fans and analysts alike pondering the harsh realities lurking behind the glamorous façade of professional sport.