French and Juventus midfielder, Paul Pogba, faces a four-year ban from football due to a doping offence.
The 30-year-old player was suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (NADO Italia) in September after testing positive for testosterone, a prohibited substance.
Pogba’s positive test occurred after Juventus’ match against Udinese on Aug. 20, 2023. Although he did not play in the game, he was present on the bench.
The confirmation of the failed drug test came in October when NADO verified the result from a second sample.
The anti-doping prosecutor’s office subsequently sought a four-year suspension.
Juventus received notification of the tribunal’s decision, with a spokesperson stating, “We received notification from the tribunal this morning.”
The ban, backdated to the date of the failed test, means Pogba will be ineligible to play until 2027, when he will be 34 years old.
In response to the verdict, Paul Pogba announced his intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
He vehemently denied ever knowingly or deliberately taking banned substances, expressing sadness and shock at the impact on his professional career.
“I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect,” 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.
“As a consequence of the decision announced today I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
The potential four-year ban could have significant implications for Paul Pogba’s football career, with the player turning 31 in March and nearing 35 at the end of the proposed suspension period.
KanyiDaily recalls that Mathias Pogba had threatened to expose Paul Pogba after the Juventus star accused his senior brother of being involved in a €13 Million extortion plot against him.
