Paul Pogba has been banned for four years over a doping offence – with the footballer arguing the verdict is “incorrect”.
The former Manchester United midfielder, who is now contracted to Italian giants Juventus, had tested positive for abnormal levels of testosterone.
This could potentially end his career at the top level, as he would be almost 35 by the time he’s allowed back on the pitch.
Image: Paul Pogba was a star performer for France in the 2018 World Cup. Pic: Reuters
In a statement, Pogba said: “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.”
Pogba is vowing to appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The Frenchman, who won a World Cup with Les Bleus in his heyday in 2018, turns 31 next month, meaning he could be pushing 35 by the time he’s allowed back on the pitch.
The test, performed after Juventus’s 3-0 season-opening victory at Udinese on 20 August, detected the hormone, which increases endurance.
He was an unused substitute in that Serie A game.
Image: Paul Pogba’s time at Manchester United is widely considered to be disappointing. Pic: PA
Pogba’s positive test was also confirmed in a counter-analysis on a second sample in October, ultimately leading to the maximum sentence possible.
Juventus have not released a statement, but a source confirmed to the Reuters news agency the club has been notified and would assess the next steps.
Pogba chose not to make a plea bargain with the anti-doping agency, so the case was tried before the country’s anti-doping court.
The sentence has not been made public due to Italy’s privacy laws.
Due to injuries, he has made only eight appearances since moving back to Juventus in 2022 from Manchester United on a free transfer for a second time.
During his first spell with Juventus between 2012 and 2016, Pogba won plaudits for his performances in the Italian league and in European competition.
He has also impressed over the majority of his 91 appearances for France, particularly during the country’s 2018 World Cup campaign.
But Pogba’s second spell at United – where he broke through as a youth player before moving to Juventus to play first-team football – is widely considered to be underwhelming.
Signed for a then-record fee of more than £80m, Pogba was an inconsistent performer for a dysfunctional United side that continued to struggle in the post-Alex Ferguson years.
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