Sibling rivalry took a shocking turn in the case of Paul and Mathias Pogba.

Mathias Pogba, the brother of World Cup winner and former Manchester United and Juventus star Paul Pogba, was sentenced on Thursday by a Paris criminal court to three years in prison, with two years suspended.

The trial centred on allegations of extortion and kidnapping involving Mathias Pogba and his own brother. The court also charged five childhood friends of Mathias, identified only by their first names, in connection with the 2022 extortion scheme.

Extortion Scheme Unveiled

The defendants were accused of demanding €13 million (£11.3 million) from Paul Pogba after holding him at gunpoint. They reportedly justified their actions by claiming that Pogba, as a global football star, should have financially supported them.

The court documents revealed charges of extortion, abduction, unlawful confinement to facilitate a crime, and criminal conspiracy.

Roushdane K., identified as the ringleader of the scheme, received an eight-year prison sentence. The other defendants were also handed various custodial sentences.

Compensation Ordered

The court determined that Paul Pogba suffered financial losses amounting to €197,000 (£172,000) and moral damages of €50,000 (£44,000). All the defendants, except Mathias Pogba, were ordered to jointly compensate the footballer for these losses.

Social Media Threats

The case gained public attention after Mathias Pogba posted threats on social media, promising to reveal “explosive” information about his brother and fellow French international, Kylian Mbappé.

Paul Pogba’s Career Setback

Once regarded as one of the world’s premier footballers, Paul Pogba’s career has faced significant challenges. In August 2023, he tested positive for testosterone, resulting in a four-year ban from football, later reduced to 18 months by Italy’s anti-doping authorities.

Most recently, Juventus mutually agreed to terminate Pogba’s contract, leaving him free to resume his career in March 2025.

This shocking case of betrayal and crime has highlighted the darker side of fame and family ties, leaving a significant mark on both Pogba brothers’ lives.