Paris — Mathias Pogba, the older brother of Paul Pogba, and three others have been detained by French police as part of an investigation into the extortion allegations made by the France national team and Juventus football star, according to sources close to the case.
Mathias Pogba turned himself in to detectives in the early afternoon and was taken into jail, according to an unnamed legal source.
A court source stated that of the total of four individuals detained in the investigation, one was brought into prison on Tuesday and three on Wednesday.
Mathias Pogba’s attorney stated on Friday that his client rejects any involvement in the extortion allegations made by his brother Paul, a World Cup-winning player who is the subject of an inquiry.
This denial was delivered in a statement by his attorney, Richard Arbib, after he posted a weird video online on August 27 — in French, Italian, English, and Spanish — promising “major disclosures” regarding the Juventus player.
Paul Pogba claims he is the target of a multimillion-euro blackmail scheme involving his brother and thugs.
According to two people close to the Pogba family contacted by AFP, Paul Pogba is being asked for substantial sums of money if he wishes to prevent the release of purportedly compromising videos.
Mathias Pogba insists he knows nothing about any extortion attempt against his brother, Paul Pogba, according to a lawyer’s statement. “Considering how the situation has developed and the massive media attention, Mathias Pogba is adamant that he is unaware of any extortion attempt against his brother.”
“It is evident that the hardships the Pogba family is enduring are the consequence of external threats, which the already involved justice authorities will investigate.
“Mathias Pogba, who intends to defuse the situation with his brother, will henceforth only communicate with the investigating magistrates if necessary.”
The investigation will be led by two investigating magistrates, it was announced last week.
Based on the findings of a preliminary inquiry began last month, they will probe charges of blackmail by an armed group, kidnapping, and participation in a criminal conspiracy – against as yet unidentified individuals.
Paul Pogba told investigators that his blackmailers attempted to defame him by stating he ordered a marabout (holy man) to put a spell on Kylian Mbappe, a top player for Paris Saint-Germain and France, which Pogba rejects.
The inquiry is conducted jointly by the anti-gang and central criminal departments of the French police.
Several individuals, including Pogba’s mother, have already been questioned by police, according to an AFP source.
Due to a knee injury, Pogba’s chances of participating for France at the World Cup in Qatar later this year are uncertain. In the beginning of this month, he described a successful operation.