Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba faces a four-year ban from football due to a doping offence.
The former Manchester United player, aged 30, was provisionally suspended in September following a drugs test revealing increased levels of testosterone in his system. The test occurred after Juventus’ first match of the season on August 20.
Pogba, a France international, intends to appeal against Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal’s (Nado) decision, according to BBC Sport.
The confirmation of the failed drugs test came through a second sample in October, with the anti-doping prosecutor’s office requesting a four-year suspension.
A spokesperson from Juventus informed the AFP news agency of the tribunal’s notification, rendering Pogba ineligible to play until 2027. The ban is retroactive to the date of the failed test.
Juventus midfielder #PaulPogba has been banned from football for four years due to doping. pic.twitter.com/pp47Xhyqq0
— Blinkscoop Official (@Blinkscoop1) February 29, 2024
Pogba maintains that if he indeed took a banned substance, it was unintentional. His agent, Rafaela Pimenta, emphasized Pogba’s commitment to fair play, stating: “What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule.”
Testosterone, known for enhancing athletes’ endurance, was detected in Pogba’s test. Nado stated that Pogba breached regulations by having prohibited non-endogenous testosterone metabolites in the test results, indicating an external source of these compounds.
Returning to Juventus in July 2022 on a four-year deal after departing Manchester United as a free agent, Pogba’s comeback to Turin has been marred by persistent injury setbacks, leading to his absence from last year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Pogba’s playing time has been limited this season, featuring only as a substitute for a total of 51 minutes across games against Bologna and Empoli. In the previous season, he played a minimal 162 minutes across Serie A, Europa League, and Coppa Italia matches, failing to secure any goals.
