French football star, Paul Pogba's blackmail trial begin in Paris

Six men connected to Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba are set to stand trial on Tuesday, accused of blackmail, attempted extortion of millions of euros, and holding the player at gunpoint. The case, being heard in the Paris criminal court, has stunned the French football community, as the accused include three of Pogba's childhood friends and his own brother, Mathias.

This trial adds to Pogba's challenges in football. Since playing a key role in France's 2018 World Cup victory, scoring in the final against Croatia, his career has been marred by injuries. These setbacks led to his 2022 departure from Manchester United and a return to Juventus, where he has been plagued by health issues.

Earlier this month, Juventus terminated Pogba's contract following his suspension for doping, which is set to last until March 2025. The six defendants are accused of attempting to extort €13 million ($13.5 million) from Pogba. Mathias Pogba brought the case to public attention in August 2022, releasing a video on social media hinting at "explosive" revelations about his brother. In another video, Mathias accused Paul of using witchcraft against his French teammate Kylian Mbappé.

Paul Pogba’s lawyers and agent, Rafaela Pimenta, stated that these videos were part of a broader campaign of threats and extortion. Pogba had already filed complaints in Italy and France in July 2022. He told investigators that in March 2022, childhood friends from his hometown had lured him into a trap, where he was held at gunpoint by two masked men with assault rifles. They demanded €13 million for "services rendered" and criticized him for not financially supporting them. Pogba admitted to paying them €100,000 but refused further demands.

He also revealed instances of intimidation at the French national team's training camp in Clairefontaine, at his Manchester home, and Juventus' facilities. Pogba said he even covered a €57,000 bill his friends had run up at an Adidas store in Paris. Reflecting on the situation, Pogba told Al Jazeera last season, "It’s been incredibly tough off the pitch. Mentally, it’s been especially hard. Money changes people it can destroy a family and even start a war."

Pogba's lawyer, Pierre-Jean Douvier, declined to comment before the trial, while the defendants have denied the allegations. Karim Morand-Lahouazi, a lawyer for one of the accused, argued that Pogba’s relationship with the group was friendly and included jokes, occasional financial support, and no malicious intent.