Paul Pogba: Juventus Midfielder Banned for Four Years for Doping
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been banned from football for four years due to a doping offence.
The former Manchester United player faced provisional suspension in September following a drugs test revealing elevated levels of testosterone in his system. The test occurred after Juventus’ first match of the season on 20 August.
France international Pogba, aged 30, is expected to appeal against Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal’s (Nado) decision, as informed by sources to BBC Sport. Nado confirmed the failed drugs test via a second sample in October.
The anti-doping prosecutor’s office had sought a four-year suspension.Juventus received notification from the anti-doping tribunal on Thursday morning regarding the ruling. Consequently, Pogba will be ineligible to play until 2027, with the ban retroactively applied to the date of the failed test.
Pogba reportedly claims any potential intake of a banned substance was inadvertent.Testosterone, a hormone enhancing athletes’ endurance, was at the center of the controversy.
Nado stated that Pogba violated rules when prohibited non-endogenous testosterone metabolites were detected, indicating an external origin of the compounds.Pogba rejoined Juventus in July 2022 on a four-year deal after leaving Manchester United as a free agent.
His previous stint with the Italian giants from 2012-16 saw him amass 178 appearances and score 34 goals across all competitions. However, his return to Turin has been plagued by persistent injury setbacks, causing him to miss last year’s World Cup in Qatar
.During the current season, Pogba’s playing time has been limited, with only 51 minutes as a substitute in matches against Bologna and Empoli. Last season, he managed just 162 minutes of playing time across various competitions, recording no goals.Credit: BBC