Paul Pogba's brother formally held and accused of extortion plot

Ex-Partick Thistle player Matthias Pogba has been detained and placed under formal investigation over an alleged plot to extort money from his brother, French international Paul.

Four other people have also been placed under formal investigation for extortion and criminal association, judicial sources told news agencies Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

Mathias Pogba's lawyer, Yassine Bouzrou, said his client is innocent.

Mathias Pogba, 32, has admitted he was behind a video that appeared online last month promising "revelations" about the 29-year-old Juventus midfielder.

Mathias Pogba, right, joined brother Paul on the pitch to celebrate France's 2018 World Cup win

French prosecutors opened a judicial investigation earlier this month after former Manchester United player Paul said he was the target of extortion and threats.

He filed a complaint with Turin prosecutor claiming he was the target of a 13m euro (£11.29m) blackmail plot.

A World Cup winner with France in 2018, Pogba moved to Juventusthis summer after leaving Manchester United.

Mathias Pogba has been capped by Guinea and played for clubs across Europe including Crewe, Wrexham, Crawley and Thistle.