Pogba Receives Four-Year Football Ban for Doping: An In-depth Update
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been hit with a four-year ban from football due to a doping offense. The 30-year-old France international was subjected to a random drug test after Juventus’ first match of the season on 20 August. The ban, issued by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado), is likely to be appealed by Pogba, according to sources from BBC Sport.
The confirmation of the failed drugs test came in October when Nado detected banned substances in a second sample. As a result, the anti-doping prosecutor’s office requested a four-year suspension for Pogba. Juventus received notification of the ban from the anti-doping tribunal on Thursday morning. The ruling implies that Pogba will be unable to participate in any football activity until 2027 when he will be 33 years old. The ban is backdated to the date of the failed test.
Pogba insists that if he did consume a banned substance, it was unintentional. His agent, Rafaela Pimenta, made a statement after the initial suspension, affirming that “What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule.” The specific banned substance in question is non-endogenous testosterone metabolites, which are substances not naturally produced by the body from testosterone. These metabolites increase athletes’ endurance and violate anti-doping regulations.
Juventus re-signed Pogba on a four-year contract in July 2022 after he ran down his contract at Manchester United and became a free agent. Pogba previously played for the Italian giants from 2012 to 2016, making 178 appearances and scoring 34 goals across all competitions. He then joined Manchester United for a then-world record transfer fee of £89.3m.
Unfortunately, Pogba’s return to Turin has been plagued by persistent injury problems. These issues even resulted in him missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This season, Pogba has only played a total of 51 minutes as a substitute in matches against Bologna and Empoli. In the previous season, he managed a mere 162 minutes of playtime, with no goals scored, across Serie A, Europa League, and Coppa Italia.
The ban imposed on Pogba will undoubtedly have significant consequences for both him and Juventus. Pogba’s absence will leave a void in the midfield of the Italian giants, limiting their options and potentially impacting their performance in domestic and international competitions. As for Pogba himself, his career trajectory is now uncertain. A four-year ban at this stage of his career could potentially hinder his chances of returning to top form once the ban is lifted.
In conclusion, Paul Pogba has received a four-year ban from football following a doping offense. The ban, issued by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal, has left Pogba unable to participate in any football-related activities until 2027 when he will be 33 years old. Pogba intends to appeal the decision, stating that any consumption of banned substances was unintentional. This ban comes as a setback for both Pogba and Juventus, impacting their future prospects on the field.