Juventus and former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has been banned from football for four years over doping offence.
This could potentially mark the end of his career at the top level, as he would be nearly 35 by the time he’s allowed back on the pitch.
In a statement, Pogba expressed his sadness, shock, and heartbreak at losing everything he has built in his professional playing career.
“When I am free of legal restrictions, the full story will become clear,” he said. “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 I have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against.”
Pogba,30, is vowing to appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The Frenchman, who won a World Cup with Les Bleus in 2018, turns 31 next month, meaning he could be approaching 35 by the time he’s allowed back on the pitch.
The test, conducted 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.
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 that 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 returning 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 praise 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
