France and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba received a maximum four-year ban from playing football for a doping offense.
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‘Shocked and heartbroken’
Italy’s national anti-doping court handed the suspension to Pogba after yielding positive results from testosterone.
The 2018 World Cup Winner failed the doping test after Juventus’ game against Udinese on August 20, 2023.
He did not play in the Serie A match but was on the sidelines.
However, Pogba said he “shocked and heartbroken” with the verdict, but insisted he never took any banned substances.
He will appeal against the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect,” Pogba said in a statement.
“I am sad, shocked, and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me.”
“When I am free of legal restrictions the full story will become clear, but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations.
“As a professional athlete, I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances, and have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against.
“As a consequence of the decision announced today, I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
What’s next for Pogba?
Pogba opted not to make a plea bargain with Italy’s anti-doping agency.
Two or four-year bans are standard under the World Anti-Doping Code.
However, it can be reduced if an athlete can prove their doping was unintentional.
In addition, the positive could only count as unintentional if the positive test was a result of contamination or if they provided “substantial assistance”.
Pogba returned to Juventus in the summer of 2022 after a six-year stint with Manchester United.
However, injuries hampered his second run with Juventus, limiting him to just 10 appearances in the 2022-23 campaign.
Pogba did not suit up for France’s run to the World Cup final in 2022 due to a knee injury.
Pogba’s contract with the Italy side runs until 2026.
The sentence could potentially end Pogba’s football career, as he turns 31 next month.
Pogba will be 35 by the time he serves his suspension through 2028.
