In a Paris court ruling, Mathias Pogba has been sentenced to three years, two of which are suspended, for his role in extorting his brother Paul Pogba. The case highlights the darker side of fame and fortune, with organized criminal elements seeking to exploit familial ties.
Paul Pogba's Brother Receives Suspended Sentence in High-Profile Extortion Case

Paul Pogba's Brother Receives Suspended Sentence in High-Profile Extortion Case
Mathias Pogba avoids prison time after being convicted of attempting to extort his brother, prominent footballer Paul Pogba, amid a scandal involving several accomplices.
In a significant legal proceeding, Mathias Pogba, older brother of renowned footballer Paul Pogba, was sentenced to a three-year prison term by a Paris court for his involvement in an elaborate extortion attempt against the star athlete. Of the sentence, two years are suspended, meaning Mathias will avoid time in prison and instead serve one year under electronic surveillance.
Additionally, he has been levied a fine of €20,000 (£16,500). This case unfolds in the context of a larger investigation, with five other co-conspirators also found guilty of various crimes related to extortion, receiving sentences ranging from four to eight years on the same day.
The ordeal began in 2022 when Paul Pogba reported being coerced by childhood friends who allegedly held him at gunpoint, demanding an exorbitant sum of €13 million (£10.8 million). In a desperate move, he acknowledged paying the group €100,000 (£82,600) to deter their threats.
Mathias Pogba's legal representative, Mbeko Tabula, expressed strong disappointment with the ruling, deeming the punishment "extremely harsh" and suggesting the possibility of an appeal. The sentences for the additional defendants were varied, with Roushdane K receiving the longest term of eight years, followed by others with sentences that included both jail time and suspensions.
The highly publicized case has stirred significant media attention, with Paul Pogba remarking on the devastating effects of greed on familial relationships and personal well-being. Last year, he even contemplated retirement from football due to the immense pressures associated with the extortion attempt. "When there is money, you have to be careful," he noted. "Money changes people. It can break up a family. It can create a war."
This incident sheds light on the challenges and perils that often accompany celebrity status, particularly when intertwined with familial bonds and financial struggles. As the legal process unfolds, both brothers remain entangled in a narrative that raises questions about trust, loyalty, and the darker currents of ambition.