Paul Pogba's brother Mathias, charged in extortion case, intends to appeal

Paul Pogba's brother Mathias has been charged and detained for the alleged extortion of the France and Juventus midfielder.

An investigation was opened last month into allegations that Paul was the target of an extortion plot by his brother and childhood friends demanding a sum of 13 million euros.

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Mathias, who is a free agent after a stint with French fourth division side Belfort ended in April, threatened to share 'explosive revelations' in a video posted on social media.

The 32-year-old denied involvement in extortion attempts against his brother.

However, it emerged on Saturday that he and four others have been charged and will now be held in jail pending a judge's decision on bail.

Mathias' lawyer confirmed to BFMTV that his client intended to challenge the decision.

"It is a decision that we do not understand, especially since the courts have recognized that Mr. Pogba did not participate in the acts of kidnapping of which his brother was allegedly the victim," said the lawyer .

"Mr. Pogba perfectly could and should have been released during this judicial investigation. So it will not stop there, we will challenge this decision from a legal point of view so that Mr. Pogba can be released at faster.

"He is an individual who has never been discussed, who has a clean criminal record, who is not a thug, who is presumed innocent. And the elements of this file, in my opinion, show that 'he has not committed any criminal offence.

"So for a person who may not have, and I'm certainly not telling you, committed a criminal offence, ending up in prison is something extremely difficult. So we're going to fight for that 'he can get out as soon as possible."