Trial of Paul Pogba’s Aggressors: Kidnapping, Extortion, and Family Tensions at the Heart of the Case

This Tuesday afternoon in Paris marks the start of the trial of six individuals accused of attempting to extort and kidnap renowned footballer Paul Pogba. At the center of the case are events that unfolded on March 19, 2022, in Seine-et-Marne, where the player was confronted by armed men demanding a large sum of money. Adding to the complexity of the case are allegations involving his older brother, Mathias Pogba, bringing a familial dimension to the proceedings.

A Fateful Night Revisited

On March 19, 2022, Paul Pogba, in France for a national team gathering, visited friends in Roissy-en-Brie. After dinner, he was escorted with three acquaintances to an apartment rented in Montévrain. It was there that events took a dramatic turn.

The five men present, long-time acquaintances of Pogba, accused him of “abandoning” them and referenced a “protection” they claimed to have provided over the years. Amid heated discussions, two hooded and armed individuals wearing bulletproof vests entered the room. Introduced as “protectors,” they pointed their weapons at Pogba and demanded €3 million in cash and €10 million by transfer. Under threat, Pogba agreed, but the next day, his bank rejected a transfer of €11 million.

In the weeks that followed, Pogba faced continued “pressure tactics” during trips to Manchester and Turin, underscoring the persistent extortion attempts.

Mathias Pogba’s Questionable Role

Although Mathias Pogba was not present at the apartment that evening, magistrates argue that he pressured his brother to pay the demanded sum. In September 2022, Mathias released videos on social media targeting Paul Pogba, aiming to destabilize him and compel payment.

Before investigators, Mathias denied any intention of coercion. “Despite everything that happened, they will always have a place in my heart (…) They were like family to me,” Paul Pogba had said during a 2023 confrontation with his former close friends. Mathias faces up to seven years in prison and a hefty fine.

Severe Penalties at Stake

The five other defendants face serious charges, including “armed extortion in an organized group” and “kidnapping to facilitate a crime in an organized group.” They risk up to ten years in prison and fines of up to €150,000. Among them, only Roushdane K. remains in pre-trial detention.

All defendants, presumed innocent until proven guilty, have been placed under judicial supervision pending the trial, expected to last a week until December 3. The case sheds light on the tragic fallout of personal relationships in the football world, where tensions over money can shatter even the strongest of bonds.