Paul Pogba has been banned from football for four years due to doping. Pogba, who now plays in Juventus jersey and former Manchester United player, will not be able to play competitively until 2027, when he will be almost 34 years old. Pogba failed a first test in August 2023 for the drug DHEA and his B sample was also positive. He says he is “devastated” and “shocked” by the decision.
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been banned from football for four years for doping by Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal (Nado).
Pogba tested positive for the banned substance DHEA back in August after Juve’s Serie A match against Udinese, where the former Manchester United midfielder remained on the bench.
His B sample also came back positive and now comes the news that he will be banned until 2027, with the ban starting from the date of the failed test.
French international Pogba will be almost 34 years old when he is allowed to return to competitive football.
He said on Instagram: “I have been informed today of the decision of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping and believe that the verdict is incorrect.
“I am saddened, shocked and devastated that everything I have built in my professional career has been taken away from me.
“Once I am free of legal restrictions, the full story will be clear, but I have never knowingly or intentionally taken supplements that violate anti-doping rules.
“As a professional athlete, I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and I have never disrespected or cheated other athletes or supporters of any of the teams I have played for or against.
“As a consequence of the decision announced today, I will appeal it to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
Pogba was provisionally suspended in September after elevated levels of testosterone were found in a random test following Juventus’ 3-0 win over Udinese on the opening day of the 2023/24 season.
Pogba’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, said at the time of the original suspension: “What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule.”
Pogba has only made two appearances for Juventus this season, both from the bench.
It is now uncertain what the future holds for the 2018 World Cup winner.
He returned to Juventus in the summer of 2022 when his contract with Manchester United expired.
However, a series of injuries meant he missed the 2022 World Cup with France and only made one start for Juventus in the 2022/23 season.
In addition to the injury problems, Pogba was allegedly the target of an £11.3 million blackmail from his brother Mathias and childhood friends.
Juventus goalkeeper jersey has yet to comment on Pogba’s suspension, but when he joined in 2022, the midfielder signed a four-year deal with the club.
Pogba was brought to Manchester United jersey 23/24 in 2016 for a then world-record £89 million.
Jose Mourinho, who was Manchester United manager at the time, said that Pogba had “the chance to be at the heart of this club for the next decade and beyond”.