Paul Pogba’s brother and five other people have to answer to the court in a blackmail case

A judge ordered the six men to appear in court after an investigation into whether Paul Pogba was blackmailed by his brother Mathias Pogba and childhood friends, the office said.

The public prosecutor’s office announced that 34-year-old Mathias Pogba had been tried “for attempted extortion and criminal conspiracy”.

The court date has not yet been announced.

The five others – identified only by first names – allegedly demanded €13 million (£11 million) from the French midfielder and repeatedly intimidated him by claiming he would not support them after becoming an international football star.

They are charged with extortion and attempted extortion by use of violence, kidnapping and imprisonment to facilitate a crime or misdemeanor, and criminal conspiracy.

During the investigation, Paul Pogba said he paid 100,000 euros (84,000 pounds) to the organised group, which included his brother.

According to French media reports, the 31-year-old player also told investigators that the alleged blackmailers wanted to discredit him by claiming that he had asked a witch doctor to curse his teammate Kylian Mbappe.

Paul Pogba denied the allegations.

A lawyer for Mathias Pogba did not respond to a message seeking comment.

The case became public after Mathias Pogba posted threats on social media to spread “explosive” revelations about his brother, Paul Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta and Mr Mbappe.

Mathias Pogba was also a footballer who spent most of his career with lower-class teams in Europe.

Paul Pogba, once one of the world’s best midfielders, has made headlines in recent years for his off-field struggles rather than his footballing brilliance.

Earlier this year, he was banned for a maximum of four years by the Italian Anti-Doping Court after testing positive for testosterone while playing for Juventus.

He has appealed to the Swiss Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Paul Pogba was known for his versatility, physicality and goal-scoring instinct.

When he returned to Manchester United in 2016, the club paid Juventus a then-record transfer fee of 105 million euros (88 million pounds).

Paul Pogba returned to Juventus in 2022 but then struggled with injuries and was ruled out of France’s run to the 2022 World Cup final due to a knee injury.

He helped France win the last World Cup, scoring a goal in the 4-2 final victory against Croatia.