Paul Pogba Facing Lengthy Ban After Failing Drug Test
France head coach Didier Deschamps has expressed his surprise at Paul Pogba’s failed drugs test and is adamant that the midfielder would not knowingly take a banned substance. Pogba is potentially facing a lengthy ban after testosterone was found in his system during a drugs test with Juventus last month.
The former Manchester United midfielder has the opportunity to submit an appeal but could be suspended for up to four years if found guilty. Deschamps has worked extensively with Pogba during their time together in France’s national team and has revealed that he has already reached out to the 30-year-old.
‘Obviously I am very surprised but I have nothing to judge the matter on,’ Deschamps told TF1. ‘He has a lot of things on his plate, it is a very difficult time. I will have time to speak to him in the next few days, I have already sent him a message.’
When asked if he believed Pogba would have knowingly taken a banned substance, Deschamps replied: ‘I can’t imagine it, knowing him he wouldn’t do it. He has a strong head on his shoulders. I remember the discussions we had about the Covid vaccine. But the substance is in his body and we don’t know how it got there.’
Bayern Munich and France winger Kingsley Coman also issued his support to Pogba. ‘We all support Paul, he’s a very close friend, he’s part of the family,’ Coman said. ‘We don’t really know more, we’ll have to look. But we know Paul, we knows that if something happened, it was surely unconsciously, without intention. We are with him wholeheartedly.’
What is the Possible Punishment for Pogba?
If found guilty, Pogba could face a lengthy ban of up to four years. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has strict rules in place for athletes who fail drugs tests and any punishment will be determined by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI).
The CONI will review the evidence and decide whether or not to issue a suspension. If they decide to issue a suspension, they will then determine the length of the ban. The length of the ban could range from two years to four years depending on the severity of the offense and any mitigating circumstances.
What Could This Mean for Pogba’s Career?
A lengthy ban could have a huge impact on Pogba’s career. The 30-year-old midfielder is currently playing for Juventus and is one of the most sought-after players in world football. A ban would mean that he would be unable to play for any team during the duration of his suspension.
This could have a huge impact on Pogba’s career as he would miss out on valuable playing time and potentially miss out on lucrative contracts with other clubs. It could also mean that he would miss out on international tournaments such as the World Cup and European Championships.
Conclusion
Paul Pogba is facing a potential lengthy ban after failing a drugs test last month. France head coach Didier Deschamps has expressed his surprise at the failed test and believes that Pogba would not knowingly take a banned substance. If found guilty, Pogba could face a ban of up to four years which could have a huge impact on his career.