Six men, including the brother of Juventus and French football star Paul Pogba, are set to face trial in Paris on charges of blackmail, attempted extortion, and armed threats.
The case, which begins Tuesday, has sent shockwaves through the football community.
Among the accused are three of Pogba’s childhood friends and his elder brother, Mathias Pogba.
They are alleged to have demanded €13 million from the World Cup winner, accusing him of failing to provide financial support.
Paul Pogba reported to French authorities that in March 2022, he was tricked into a meeting in a Paris suburb where he grew up.
There, two masked men armed with assault rifles allegedly held him at gunpoint, demanding millions for “services rendered.”
Pogba claimed he was pressured at various locations, including the French national team’s training facility, his home in Manchester, and Juventus’ training ground.
While Pogba admitted to paying €100,000 to the group and covering a €57,000 bill they incurred at an Adidas store, he refused to meet their demands for more money.
Mathias Pogba became a central figure in the case after releasing a video in August 2022 threatening to reveal explosive details about his brother.
He later accused Paul of casting a spell on France teammate Kylian Mbappé.
Five of the accused face charges of extortion, kidnapping, and forming a criminal conspiracy.
Mathias Pogba, while not present during the alleged abduction, is accused of attempting to pressure Paul Pogba and his family into paying the €13 million demand.
Lawyers for the defendants have denied the allegations, asserting that their relationship with Pogba was friendly and that any financial exchanges were acts of generosity.
Paul Pogba’s legal team has remained tight-lipped ahead of the trial.
A police report described the group as a “criminal team” intent on exploiting Pogba after he reduced financial support to his childhood acquaintances.
The trial adds to a difficult period for Pogba, whose contract with Juventus was recently terminated following a doping suspension.
The midfielder has only made sporadic appearances since a serious car accident in 2021.
The proceedings are expected to shed light on the allegations and the troubled relationships surrounding the football star.
AFP
