Paul Pogba Comments on Brother’s Sentencing in Extortion Case

Former Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has spoken out following the sentencing of his brother Mathias for attempted extortion of €13 million from the player. Pogba expressed a desire to move forward from the distressing ordeal.

The extortion plot unfolded in two incidents – one in Paris in March 2022 and another at Juventus’ training facility in Turin in July 2022. On Thursday, a Paris court handed down a three-year prison sentence to Mathias Pogba, with two years suspended. He will serve the remaining year under house arrest with electronic monitoring rather than behind bars. Mathias was also fined €20,000.

Five other defendants received sentences ranging from 4 to 8 years imprisonment for their roles in the extortion scheme, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy.

Pogba’s Statement on the Verdict

In a statement released through his lawyer, Paul Pogba said:

“There are no winners in this case involving my family members and childhood acquaintances. I can finally close this extremely difficult chapter. This resolution allows everyone to look to the future. Now that the judgment has been rendered, I can fully concentrate on my return to professional football.”

Pogba is currently a free agent after mutually terminating his contract with Juventus. He is ineligible to play until March 2025 due to an 18-month ban for failing a doping test.

The midfielder’s comments suggest he is eager to put this personal ordeal behind him and focus on rebuilding his football career once his suspension ends. The case has clearly taken an emotional toll on Pogba, involving betrayal by close family members and childhood friends.