Juventus Midfielder Pogba Faces Four Year Ban After Doping Offence
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been hit with a four-year ban for a doping offence earlier this season, according to reports from Italian media. The ban, granted following a request from the sports prosecutor, stems from a positive test for testosterone, a banned substance, after Juve's season-opening victory at Udinese on August 20th 2023.
Pogba, 30, was an unused substitute in that game, and had been provisionally suspended by Italy's national anti-doping tribunal in September. Despite a counter-analysis in October confirming the doping violation, Juventus is yet to comment on the ban.
The ban, backdated to the date of the failed test, means Pogba will be sidelined until 2027, raising questions about the continuation of his career at 34. Pogba's agent, Rafaela Pimenta, emphasised that "Paul never wanted to break the rules," hinting at a potential dispute over the validity of the test results.
According to Sky in Italy, Pogba plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, a move that could lead to further legal battles. The case could take a complicated turn, with both Pogba and the World Anti-Doping Code (WADA) possibly appealing any decision reached at CAS.
The 2018 World Cup winner has endured a challenging time with Juventus due to persistent injuries since his return from Manchester United in 2022. Knee and hamstring issues, coupled with knee surgery, significantly reduced his playing time last season, preventing him from participating in the World Cup in Qatar. Pogba's representatives have not yet provided a comment on the ban, leaving the midfielder's future uncertain.
