Pogba Family Turmoil: Mathias Sentenced in Extortion Saga

In a shocking turn of events, Mathias Pogba has been sentenced for attempting to extort his brother, former Manchester United star Paul Pogba, highlighting the darker side of fame and family ties.

 

In a high-profile court case that has gripped the football world, Mathias Pogba, the older brother of former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, received a three-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, for his role in an extortion attempt against the footballer. Mathias, who was fined €20,000 (£16,500), will serve one year under an electronic monitoring system, thus avoiding immediate incarceration.

The court proceedings, held in Paris, also implicated five other men who were convicted of various charges related to extortion, facing sentences ranging from four to eight years. This case unfolded following Paul Pogba’s harrowing account of being threatened at gunpoint by childhood associates in 2022, who demanded €13 million (£10.8 million) and ultimately received €100,000 (£82,600) from him.

Mathias Pogba's defense attorney, Mbeko Tabula, criticized the severity of the ruling, stating, "The sentencing was extremely harsh," and hinted at the possibility of an appeal. The other defendants received sentences as follows: Roushdane K was sentenced to eight years, Machikour K to four years (with a three-year suspension), Adama C and Mamadou M received five years each (with one year suspended for Mamadou), and Boubacar C received a four-year sentence with two years suspended.

Last year, Paul Pogba expressed the emotional toll of the extortion attempt, revealing to Al Jazeera that he contemplated retiring from football due to the stress and betrayal from those he considered friends. He remarked on the volatility caused by wealth, stating, "When there is money you have to be careful. Money changes people. It can break up a family. It can create a war." This situation reflects not only familial strife but also the complex interplay of relationships in the high-stakes world of professional sports.