A four-year football suspension for doping has been imposed on Paul Pogba, a crucial player for Juventus, in a shocking turn of events. The 30-year-old will take a significant break from the field after making a spectacular comeback to Juventus in July 2022 following his departure from Manchester United.
The beginning of Pogba’s ordeal came when he tested positive for steroids during a random drug test after Juventus’ opening game of the season on August 20. In October, the failed test in a second sample was verified by the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal (Nado). Subsequently, the office of the anti-doping prosecutor requested a four-year suspension.
Pogba’s suspension is retroactive to the day of the failed test, meaning he won’t be able to play again until 2027, when he reaches 33. A Juventus representative acknowledged receiving the tribunal’s ruling, and Pogba plans to file an appeal, according to BBC Sport.
Pogba, who is being represented by agent Rafaela Pimenta, insists on his innocence, claiming that any illegal substances that may have gotten into his system were accidental. “One thing is for sure: Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule,” Pimenta emphasized.
Testosterone, the chemical in question that is prohibited, is known to improve the endurance of athletes. Because non-endogenous testosterone metabolites—substances the body does not typically make from testosterone—were revealed in the test results, Nado concluded that Pogba had broken the guidelines. It was decided that the results were “consistent with the exogenous [external] origin of the target compounds.”
Pogba’s return to Juventus has been hampered by ongoing injury difficulties, so this setback compounds to his recent struggles. Pogba signed a four-year contract in July 2022, but he hasn’t played much—he’s only played 51 minutes this season as a substitute.
The football world is waiting for Pogba’s appeal, as his spectacular career is clouded and worries about his future are raised by this devastating ban for the gifted midfield player.
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