Paul Pogba paid €100,000 to extortionists - French prosecutors

World Cup winner Paul Pogba paid €100,000 ($100,000) to an organised group including his brother that was trying to extort him for millions, French officials said on Tuesday.

French prosecutors are investigating allegations that Pogba was the target of extortion by his brother, Mathias Pogba, and childhood friends from the east suburbs of Paris, where they grew up. They demanded €13 million from the France midfielder, and repeatedly intimidated him, claiming he didn't support them after he became an international star.

— Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, more (U.S.)

No charges have yet been made, prosecutors said, but sources told ESPN that Pogba told the police that the group told him he owed them money for looking after him as a youngster and that they expected a cash payback.

An official close to the investigation confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday that Pogba told investigators he had already paid €100,000.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with official practice during an ongoing investigation.

According to French media reports, Paul Pogba told investigators the extortionists wanted to discredit him by claiming he asked a witch doctor to cast a spell on another French star, Kylian Mbappe.

Paul Pogba denied the allegation.

Mathias Pogba on Sunday appeared to address the witch doctor claim in a Twitter post, directed at Mbappe: «Kylian, do you understand now? I have nothing against you, what I am saying is for your own good, everything is true and known, the witch doctor is known!»

Mbappe has not responded and has not commented on the scandal that appears to stem from a family feud.

A source told ESPN that the Mbappe family is monitoring the situation.

France team coach Didier Deschamps has been