Fatshimetrie: The case that shakes Paul Pogba’s entourage
On Tuesday, November 26, the trial of six individuals close to football star Paul Pogba opens before the Paris court. Among the accused is Mathias Pogba, the older brother of the 2018 world champion with the French national team. All are charged with attempted extortion that occurred in March 2022.
According to Paul Pogba’s statements, he was held captive in an apartment in the Paris region by armed men demanding 13 million euros in payment for alleged protection provided since the beginning of his career. The group reportedly includes childhood friends and Mathias Pogba, who allegedly played a key role in the incident.
Videos posted by Mathias Pogba on social media, accusing his brother of not having respected his commitments to his family, attracted the attention of investigators and revived the case.
The trial, which is expected to last several weeks, highlights the deep tensions within the footballer’s entourage. Currently sidelined due to injury, Paul Pogba is witnessing the indictment of his former close associates, risking sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
It should be recalled that Pogba tested positive for testosterone in August last year and was given the maximum suspension by the Italian anti-doping tribunal. However, the CAS judges reduced his suspension, acknowledging that there was no intention to cheat and specifying that his positive test was due to the erroneous taking of a food supplement prescribed by a doctor in Florida.
Pogba’s contract with Juventus was due to expire in June 2026. In a statement, he announced the end of his stay with the Italian club, expressing his gratitude to the fans and saying he was looking forward to starting a new chapter in his career.
Paul Pogba, the most expensive football player in history when he moved from Juventus to Manchester United for €105 million in 2016, shone in France’s World Cup victory in 2018 before returning to Juventus in 2022 as a free agent. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to eight Serie A appearances in his second spell at the club before his suspension last year.
In conclusion, the affair surrounding Paul Pogba’s entourage illustrates the challenges and tensions that can be faced by top athletes, highlighting the challenges of managing personal and professional relationships in the world of top-level football.