Paul Pogba is under contract with Juve, but is not allowed to play due to a suspension. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

Blackmail scandal involving Paul Pogba

In a blackmail scandal involving football world champion Paul Pogba, the French judiciary has initiated criminal proceedings against his brother Mathias and five old acquaintances of the two.

September 10, 2024

From: dpa

Two investigating judges decided on Tuesday, after two years of investigations, to bring the six men to justice. The defendants are said to have tried to extort 13 million euros from the footballer. Five of the suspects are said to have temporarily held Pogba against his will in March 2022. They must answer for extortion and deprivation of liberty. Pogba's brother is accused of attempted extortion.

Paul Pogba won the World Cup with France in 2018. He has been under contract with Italian record champions Juventus Turin since summer 2023. He has been banned from training and playing for four years since September 2023 due to doping.