France and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been handed a four-year ban from football following a doping offence, as confirmed by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal. The ban stems from a positive test for testosterone after Juventus’ match against Udinese in August 2023, despite Pogba not featuring in the game. In response, Pogba has declared his intention to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, vehemently denying any knowledge or deliberate use of banned substances to enhance his performance.
Expressing sadness and shock at the verdict, Pogba emphasized his commitment to fair play throughout his career and asserted his innocence regarding the doping allegations. Opting against a plea bargain with Italy’s anti-doping agency, Pogba’s case was adjudicated before the country’s anti-doping court, with the verdict confirming the standard four-year ban under the World Anti-Doping Code. However, avenues for reduction exist should Pogba demonstrate that the doping was unintentional, a result of contamination, or provide substantial assistance to investigators.
This development marks a significant setback for the 2018 World Cup winner, who returned to Juventus in 2022 after a stint at Manchester United. Despite his contributions to both club and country, including a pivotal role in France’s World Cup triumph, Pogba’s career now faces a cloud of uncertainty amidst the doping scandal and ongoing legal challenges.
