Paul Pogba handed four-year ban for doping offence

Despite the ruling from Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal imposing the maximum penalty, Pogba maintains his innocence, stating he never intentionally violated anti-doping regulations

Paul Pogba, the former World Cup champion, faces a four-year football ban due to a doping violation.

However, he intends to contest this decision in court, striving to salvage his career.

The French midfielder, who has represented both France and Juventus, was provisionally suspended in September after testing positive for testosterone.

Despite the ruling from Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal imposing the maximum penalty, Pogba maintains his innocence, stating he never intentionally violated anti-doping regulations.

Expressing dismay and disagreement with the tribunal’s decision, he plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.

Pogba’s potential four-year suspension, if upheld, could signal the premature end of his illustrious career, a fact he laments, feeling his hard-earned achievements unjustly stripped away.

In 2022, Juventus secured the signing of Pogba on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Manchester United, offering him a four-year deal.

However, Pogba’s time at Juventus was marred by injuries, limiting him to just one start in the previous season, with knee and hamstring issues sidelining him.

Unfortunately, he was also unable to participate in the Qatar World Cup.

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Despite these setbacks, Pogba’s impact both on the field with his exceptional midfield performances and off the field with his leadership qualities was evident during France’s victorious campaign in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

His stature as one of the premier players globally was reaffirmed when Manchester United shattered the world transfer record to bring him back from Juventus in 2016.

Paul Pogba’s return to Juventus follows a stint at Manchester United marked by inconsistency.

Despite winning the Europa League and Carabao Cup, United struggled for major trophies.

Pogba’s initial success at Juventus, where he won four Serie A titles, was marred by injuries upon his return.

After missing the World Cup due to injury, he began his Juventus comeback as a substitute in a win against Udinese, gradually regaining fitness.