Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba’s brother, Mathias Pogba, is set to stand trial after allegedly targeting the former Manchester United star in an extortion scheme. According to ESPN, Mathias and five others are expected to appear in court in connection with an extortion case that targeted the World Cup-winning midfielder two years ago.

Mathias Pogba was taken into custody in September 2022 after accusations of blackmail emerged, with him and five others allegedly attempting to extort £11 million from Paul Pogba. The group faces charges of extortion and attempted extortion involving violence, abduction, and confinement, as well as criminal conspiracy.

The prosecutor’s office confirmed that Mathias Pogba will stand trial “for the offenses of attempted extortion and criminal conspiracy.” Reports indicate that the ordeal had a profound impact on Paul Pogba, who at one point considered retirement due to the mental toll it took. The midfielder testified in court, stating that the situation had a “big impact” on his mental health.

Pogba’s playing career has also suffered significantly, with persistent injuries keeping him off the pitch before he received a four-year doping ban earlier this year. Paul Pogba has appealed the ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in hopes of having the verdict overturned.

In a dramatic video posted on social media around the time of his arrest, Mathias Pogba called his brother a “vile and despicable” person, accusing him of using his celebrity status, wealth, and connections to silence those who could expose him. During the investigation, Paul Pogba revealed that he had paid €100,000 to his brother and the rest of the group before they allegedly tried to discredit him by claiming he had ordered a witch doctor to cast a spell on his France teammate Kylian Mbappe, according to ESPN.

While the court date for the extortion case has not yet been set, Paul Pogba continues to navigate his own legal battles alongside his efforts to overturn his doping ban.

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