By Seyi Babalola
A Paris court sentenced Mathias Pogba, the brother of France footballer Paul Pogba to three years in prison, with two years suspended after convicting him in a high-profile extortion case.
Mathias Pogba will be allowed to serve his one-year sentence via an electronic bracelet rather than in prison.
The court also fined Paul Pogba’s brother 20,000 euros for his role in the attempted extortion of 13 million euros (US$13.5 million) from Pogba in 2022 and for putting pressure on the player, his family, and his business contacts to make the payment.
The case involving six men close to Paul Pogba has stunned the French football world, as the alleged culprits include three childhood friends and Pogba’s own brother.
The five other defendants were found guilty of extortion, kidnapping and detention, as well as participation in a criminal association, and sentenced to up to eight years in prison, as well as fines of between 20,000 euros and 40,000 euros.
Mathias Pogba’s lawyer Mbeko Tabula said the ruling was “extremely harsh,” adding that he plans to appeal.
“He’s obviously in a state of shock,” he said of his client.