Paul Pogba's brother arrested for alleged extortion, says his lawyer

Related video: Paul Pogba tells how his house was robbed 0:34

(CNN) --

Mathias Pogba, the brother of World Cup-winning French soccer player Paul Pogba, has been placed in temporary detention by a Paris court while it investigates claims of extortion, his lawyer confirmed to CNN.

According to lawyer Yassine Bouzrou, Mathias Pogba, 32, has been in prison since Saturday night.

"We will question this decision and ask for his release," Bouzrou told CNN on Sunday.

The Paris Public Prosecutor's Office also confirmed to CNN on Sunday that Mathias Pogba has been placed in temporary detention.

Paul Pogba, who plays for Italian Serie A side Juventus, made an extortion allegation against his brother last month, in a statement obtained by CNN through his legal team.

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• French Police investigate allegations of extortion and threats against Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba (centre) celebrates victory with his mother Yeo and brother Mathias during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final.

Paul Pogba's statement came after his brother posted a series of videos on Instagram in English, French, Spanish and Italian in which he assured that he would make "big revelations" about the conduct of his brother and Rafaela Pimenta, his agent. .

Paul Pogba's statement, which was signed by his lawyers, his mother Yeo Moriba and Pimenta, said: "Unfortunately, Mathias Pogba's recent social media posts come as no surprise and follow other attempts over an extended period of trying to extort money from Paul Pogba".

"The facts were reported to the Italian and French police a month ago and there will be no further comment on the ongoing investigations."

Mathias had responded in August to earlier reports of the investigation in a series of tweets that began: "What I've been waiting for has arrived: my little brother is finally starting to show his true face."

In the tweets he denied the accusations against him.

In August, a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office told CNN that an investigation had been launched that month "for the charge of extortion in an organized gang and attempted extortion in an organized gang."

Paul Pogba, 29, returned to Juventus in July after six years at Manchester United in the English Premier League.

He was a member of the France team that won the World Cup in 2018.

In August, Italian police confirmed to CNN that they were not investigating the allegations.

-- CNN's Matt Foster and Sammy Mngqosini contributed to this report.

Paul Pogba