A Paris court on Thursday sentenced Mathias Pogba, the brother of Guinean-born football star Paul Pogba, to a three-year prison term, with two years suspended.
Mathias Pogba was convicted in a high-profile extortion case that shocked the French football community. He will serve his one-year sentence under electronic surveillance rather than in prison.
In addition, Mathias Pogba was fined €20,000 for his role in the attempted extortion of €13 million ($13.5 million) from his brother in 2022. The court found that Mathias had pressured Paul Pogba, his family, and business associates to secure the payment.
The case involved six individuals, including Mathias and three of Paul Pogba’s childhood friends. The five other defendants were found guilty of charges including extortion, kidnapping, and participation in a criminal conspiracy. They received prison sentences ranging from one to eight years, along with fines between €20,000 and €40,000.
Roushdane K., identified as the mastermind behind the plot, was sentenced to eight years in prison and was the only defendant in custody during the trial.
Mathias Pogba’s lawyer, Mbeko Tabula, criticized the ruling as “extremely harsh” and announced plans to appeal. “He is in a state of shock,” Tabula said, adding that Mathias has consistently claimed his innocence, arguing that he was manipulated and coerced into the situation.
The extortion case first came to light in August 2022 when Mathias Pogba posted a video on social media promising to reveal explosive details about his younger brother.
Paul Pogba told investigators that in March 2022, he was lured by childhood friends from the Paris suburb where he and Mathias grew up. He alleged that he was then held at gunpoint by two hooded men armed with assault rifles, who demanded €13 million for “services rendered.”
According to Pogba, he ultimately paid €100,000 to the group but resisted further demands.
This dramatic case has drawn widespread attention, highlighting the complex relationships and pressures surrounding high-profile athletes.
