A Paris Court on Sunday handed down a three-year prison sentence with two years suspension to Mathias Pogba, the elder brother of France international footballer Paul Pogba, after convicting him in a high-profile extortion case.
The court also imposed a fine of 20,000 euros on Mathias for his involvement in the attempted extortion of 13 million euros ($13.5 million) from his brother in 2022, as well as for exerting undue pressure on Paul Pogba, his family, and his business associates to secure the payment.
The sentence means that Mathias Pogba will serve only one year in confinement, which he is permitted to do under electronic monitoring rather than in a traditional prison setting. This arrangement allows for some degree of personal freedom, albeit under strict surveillance, as he completes the custodial portion of his punishment.
The case, which first came to public attention in 2022, involved allegations that Mathias Pogba, along with a group of accomplices, attempted to extort an enormous sum of money from the Juventus midfielder.
The court heard how the group employed intimidation tactics, including threats of violence and reputational harm, to coerce Paul Pogba into making the payment. Reports indicated that Paul Pogba and his representatives were subjected to mounting pressure, including threats directed at his personal and professional circles, further heightening the emotional toll of the situation.
During the trial, Paul Pogba provided detailed testimony about the ordeal, recounting how the extortion attempt unfolded and the profound impact it had on his family. The court also examined evidence pointing to the involvement of armed individuals who allegedly demanded payment from the footballer, while warning of dire consequences if their demands were not met.
The trial attracted significant media attention, not only because of the fame of Paul Pogba, a World Cup-winning midfielder, but also due to the shocking betrayal at the heart of the case. The revelations raised questions about trust and familial relationships in the context of wealth and fame.
In issuing its verdict, the court emphasized the seriousness of the crimes while allowing for a rehabilitative approach by permitting Mathias to serve his sentence under electronic surveillance. The 20,000-euro fine and the suspended portion of the sentence serve as further penalties for his actions, underscoring the gravity of the offense.
With this ruling, the legal proceedings draw to a close, but the Pogba family is left to navigate the emotional aftermath of a deeply divisive chapter.
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