Ex Manchester United and France midfielder Paul Pogba has been slammed four years ban for doping breaches.
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has reportedly received a four-year ban for a doping violation earlier in the season, as per Italian media sources on Thursday.
Sky Sport Italy and La Repubblica indicated that the sports prosecutor’s request for the ban was approved. Pogba was initially suspended in September after testing positive for testosterone, a prohibited substance, following Juventus’ Serie A season opener against Udinese.
The test was conducted after the match on August 20, where Pogba was an unused substitute. A subsequent counter-analysis in October confirmed the positive result. While Juventus has not officially commented, a source confirmed they were informed of the four-year ban and are considering their next steps.
Paul Pogba has reacted to his four year ban on his Instagram story
Pogba has issued a statement on his Instagram page:
“I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect.
“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.”
Pogba has faced challenges in his second stint with Juventus due to various injuries since his return from Manchester United in 2022, including knee and hamstring issues and surgery, which kept him out of contention for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar despite being a member of the 2018 winning squad.
