Juventus Midfielder, Pogba Handed Four-Year Ban for Doping Violation

In a shocking turn of events, Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been slapped with a four-year ban from football by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado).

The ban stems from a failed doping test in August 2023, where Pogba tested positive for the banned substance DHEA after a Serie A clash against Udinese.

Pogba’s B sample also confirmed the positive result, leading to the severe four-year suspension that will keep him out of competitive play until 2027. This means the French international, now with Juventus after his stint with Manchester United, will be nearing 34 when he becomes eligible to return to the pitch.

Expressing his dismay on Instagram, Pogba stated, “I am sad, shocked, and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me.” The midfielder vehemently denied knowingly or deliberately taking any supplements that violated anti-doping regulations.

Pogba was provisionally suspended in September 2023 when elevated levels of testosterone were discovered in a random test after Juventus’ 3-0 victory over Udinese on the opening day of the 2023/24 season. His agent, Rafaela Pimenta, emphasized at the time that Pogba had no intention of breaking any rules.

The World Cup winner has made only two appearances for Juventus this season, both as a substitute. His return to the club in 2022, after his contract with Manchester United expired, was marred by injuries, causing him to miss the 2022 World Cup with France and limiting his playtime with Juventus in the 2022/23 season.

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Pogba, who signed a four-year deal with Juventus in 2022, was previously transferred to Manchester United for a then world-record fee of £89 million in 2016. The club is yet to comment on the ban, and Pogba has declared his intention to appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The football community awaits further developments in this unexpected and dramatic turn in Pogba’s career.