The French judiciary has opened an investigation into the brother of international footballer Paul Pogba. Paul Pogba accuses his brother and childhood friends of trying to blackmail him for millions. Matthias Pogba is therefore accused of extortion in an organised gang and participation in a criminal organisation in preparation of a crime. The others were charged with, among other things, extortion with weapons in an organised gang and deprivation of liberty.

According to unconfirmed media reports, the extortion is said to have involved compromising videos. However, the exact content of the videos is unclear – including whether they really exist. Pogba was allegedly granted police protection in Italy.

Paul Pogba is one of the most prominent footballers in Europe. He currently plays for Juventus Turin and was previously under contract with Manchester United for six years. Pogba has played for the French national team since 2013. In 2018, he became world champion.

His brother Matthias Pogba and three of his alleged accomplices are currently in custody. The proceedings that have now been initiated could lead to a criminal trial if the investigating judges end up seeing sufficient evidence. Otherwise, they could drop the proceedings