Paul Pogba reacts as brother handed prison sentence: I can finally turn the page

On Thursday, Paul Pogba’s (31) brother, Mathias, was handed a three-year prison sentence, two years of which are suspended, for “extortion, sequestration, and detention, as well as participation in criminal association“. Five childhood friends got heavier eight-year sentences for their roles 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 wish to attend the trial in which his brother and childhood friends were found guilty. However, speaking to AFP, he did react to the ruling. There certainly wasn’t a sense of jubilation. “There is no winner in this case, which involves members of my family and people that I have known since childhood,” the France international told AFP.

He continued, “I can now finally turn the page on his extremely painful period. This conclusion is an opportunity for everyone to focus on the future. Now that the judgement has been made, I can fully focus on my return to professional football.” Pogba will soon be able to return to playing having seen his four-year ban for doping reduced to 18 months on appeal.

It means that Pogba can begin training on 1st January and return to competitive action from 1st March. He is currently without a club following the mutual termination of his contract at Juventus.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle