The star France footballer Paul Pogba has been handed a four-year ban from professional football for doping on Thursday, February 29. Italy's anti-doping agency suspended Pobga in September 2023 and now the decision has been made after the player failed to prove his case.
Italian media outlets are reporting that the court has accepted the prosecutor’s request for a four-year ban on the former Manchester United player. The ban is likely to end Pogba's well-documented career which was hampered by injury and inconsistent form at Old Trafford and Old Lady.
The 30-year-old Juventus midfielder tested positive for testosterone after the team's first game of the season against Udinese in August. Pogba was an unused substitute during the Udinese game but he failed the doping tests and was later suspended by Nado Italia, the Italian Anti-Doping Organization.
However, according to a report from ESPN, the FIFA World Cup 2018 winner is looking to appeal against the verdict to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Pgba reportedly chose not to make a plea bargain with the Nado Italia so the trial took place before the anti-doping court in Italy.
In his first reaction to the ban, Pogba revealed his decision to appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
"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."
