Mathias Pogba, brother of French footballer Paul Pogba, has been charged in an extortion investigation. He is suspected of participating in a criminal organization and extortion in an organized gang. An investigation is being launched into him and four other suspects, the French news agency AFP reported on Saturday evening. Paul Pogba, midfielder at Juventus, is said to have been extorted for 13 million euros.
The 32-year-old Mathias, also a footballer and a short-time player for Sparta Rotterdam, reported himself to the police on Wednesday, according to the AFP news agency, and was then arrested. His lawyer Yassine Bouzrou told the French television channel BFM TV know that his client “has committed no offense” and that they will “challenge the decision.” The four co-defendants, acquaintances of the brothers, were arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday. They are charged with extortion with the use of a weapon and participation in a criminal organization.
Earlier this month, the Paris prosecutor opened an investigation into extortion against Paul Pogba after he said he was being extorted for 13 million euros by criminals. His brother may be involved. Mathias announced in a video message at the end of August that he would come with “explosive revelations” about his brother and football player Kylian Mbappé. No such ‘disclosures’ have yet been made.