Exemplary Pogba gets French FA president backing as Mbappe demand answer
Mbappe and his legal team are waiting to see how the case develops from a distance
French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet has given Paul Pogba his full backing after reports emerged that the Frenchman was held hostage by a gang armed with assault rifles in an attempted blackmail plot.
Pogba reportedly told French authorities that the gang dragged him to a Paris apartment in March and demanded £11million as they threatened him with assault rifles.
The 29-year-old, who has won the World Cup with France, said the men wanted the money for 'protection services' stretching back 13 years, including for the time he spent in Manchester.
Pogba claims two armed men said they 'protected him discreetly' during a period that spanned more than a decade, including during two spells at Manchester United, the last of which ended earlier this year.
With the case ongoing, Le Graet has insisted that Pogba has his 'support' and that he holds the World Cup winner in 'high esteem'.
As reported by French news outlet L'Equipe, Le Graet said: 'This case is in the hands of the police. An investigation is underway. At this point, I won't make any further comments other than to show my support for Paul Pogba’’.
Meanwhile, according to RMC Sport, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) superstar Kylian Mbappe contacted Pogba after the forward's name was involved in a witch doctor scandal.
Mbappe was keen to understand his role in the saga. Hence, he contacted both Pogba brothers to find out their respective versions of the story and to understand why his name came up in the incident.
It is understood that Didier Deschamps is also keeping a close eye on the situation. With the World Cup on the horizon, the France coach is keen to have a read on the scandal regarding his superstar player.
Pogba, meanwhile, is currently sidelined due to a meniscus injury. He made a return to Juventus in the summer from Manchester United. However, he suffered an injury and might have to go under the knife.
Pogba is undecided on having surgery as that might result in the player missing out for a considerable amount of time. With the World Cup in November, the player is not considering that route.
Pogba was an instrumental player for Didier Deschamps' side in 2018 when they lifted the World Cup in Russia.
Mbappe, meanwhile, has had a great start to his 2022-23 campaign with PSG. In four games for the Parisians, the No.7 has scored five goals.
Mbappe and his legal team are waiting to see how the case develops from a distance, as they don't want to get involved while the police do their job.
What is clear is that the drama comes at a bad time for the French national team. With less than three months until the start of the World Cup, it doesn't appear two of France's stars are on particularly good terms.
It's a situation that isn't new to the French, following the Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena scandal of 2015.
Coach Didier Deschamps will name his Nations League squad in a fortnight's time, but the reunion between Pogba and Mbappe may have to wait anyway, as the Juventus midfielder is still recovering from a right knee injury suffered in pre-season.
