Why did Paul Pogba’s brother accuse Juve star of placing a curse on Kylian Mbappé?

A bizarre spat between the brothers Pogba has emerged after Mathias Pogba, who plays for ASM Belfort in the French fourth division and is the older brother of Juventus and France midfielder Paul, said he would reveal information about his sibling that would cause people to question his place in the national team. The story told by Mathias involves PSG forward Kylian Mbappé and a witch doctor, with the elder Pogba claiming that his brother employed the services of a purveyor of black magic in an attempt to place a curse on his international teammate.

As reported by France Info, Pogba senior claims Paul went to a witch doctor in an attempt to place a curse on Mbappé, for reasons unknown, with Mathias terming his brother a “so-called Muslim deep in witchcraft.”

Poilce investigating Pogba extortion attempt

Separately, according to RMC, Pogba has filed a complaint with police over an alleged extortion and blackmail attempt involving organized criminals, childhood friends and his brother Mathias, who are reportedly trying to squeeze €13 million out of the France international for “services rendered.” Pogba made a statement at France’s Department of Organized Crime to the effect that he was being blackmailed by the group.

A source close to the case told AFP that French police have opened an investigation into the alleged multi-million euro blackmail plot. Pogba’s allegations came to light after Mathias published a video online in four languages (French, Italian, English and Spanish) promising “great revelations” about the Juventus star.

Armed men demanded €13m from France star

The case has its roots in a visit Pogba paid to his family in Lagny-sur-Marne last March during an international break when France were due to play Ivory Coast. While there, several of Pogba’s childhood friends complained they had not received any economic benefits from the player since he became a professional. Two unidentified armed men reportedly made the demand for €13m.

According to reports in France, Mathias Pogba’s claims and the actions of Pogba’s entourage have come as little surprise to the rest of the Juventus player’s family. Pogba has never made any secret of sharing his wealth with his childhood friends but his largesse came to an abrupt end last January when he kicked one of his closest friends out of his home after finding that he had spent €200,000 on his credit card.

Pogba issues statement

Pogba believes that his brother’s claims about witchcraft are an attempt to discredit him in the public eye while Mathias has said he will reveal more secrets about the France star and his agent Rafaela Pimienta. A brief statement issued on Monday and signed by Pogba’s lawyers, his mother and Pimienta said Mathias’ social media post came in “addition to threats and extortion attempts by an organised gang against Paul Pogba. 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.”