Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has released a statement referring to “extortion” after his brother recorded a video promising “great revelations” about the French World Cup winner.
Former Guinea international Mathias Pogba, 32, published videos in English, French, Italian and Spanish over the weekend in which he vowed to make “great revelations about [his] brother Paul Pogba and his agent Rafaela Pimenta”.
In response, Pogba, 29, released a statement — co-signed by his mother Yeo Moriba and Pimenta — saying the videos “are unfortunately no surprise”.
“They are in addition to threats and extortion attempts by an organised gang against Paul Pogba," the statement added.
“The competent bodies in Italy and France were informed a month ago and there will be no further comments in relation to the ongoing investigation.”
Mathias, who has played for several clubs including Wrexham, Crewe Alexandra and Partick Thistle, in his weekend video said people needed to know if his brother “deserves his place in the French team and the honour of playing in the World Cup”.
According to two sources close to the Pogba family contacted by AFP, large sums of money are being demanded from Paul Pogba if he wants to avoid the dissemination of the allegedly compromising videos.
France Info reported that Paul Pogba told investigators he had been threatened by "childhood friends and two hooded men armed with assault rifles".
They are demanding €13 million from him for "services provided".
A source close to the matter confirmed the France Info reports to AFP. French police have opened an investigation into claims, the report added.
The name of Pogba's international teammate, Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe's, also came up in the affair.
Pogba is a near certainty to be part of Didier Deschamps' France squad when they defend the World Cup won four years ago in Russia in Qatar later this year.
He re-joined the Serie A giants Juventus on a free transfer after his Manchester United contract expired earlier this summer.
Pogba has yet to feature for the Turin club this season after picking up a knee injury during pre-season.
150 summer transfers - in pictures
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Company%20profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Indika
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Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
The National in Davos
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