On Thursday, Paul Pogba's brother Mathias was given a three-year prison sentence, of which two years were suspended, for “extortion, seizure and detention, as well as participation in a criminal association”. Five childhood friends received tougher sentences of eight years for their role in the plot to extort money from the former Juventus midfielder.
That ruling came at the end of a lengthy court case. Paul Pogba did not want to attend the trial in which his brother and childhood friends were found guilty. However, he did respond to the statement in conversation with AFP. There was certainly no sense of joy. “There is no winner in this case, which involves members of my family and people I have known since childhood,” the France international told AFP.
He continued: “I can now finally turn the page on his extremely painful periods. This conclusion is an opportunity for everyone to focus on the future. Now that the decision has been made, I can fully focus on my return to professional football.” Pogba will soon be able to play again after his four-year ban for doping was reduced to 18 months on appeal.
It means that Pogba can start training on January 1 and play competitively again from March 1. He is currently without a club following the mutual termination of his contract with Juventus.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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