Paul Pogba has been banned for four years for a doping offence, with the footballer saying the ruling was “incorrect”.
The former Manchester United midfielder, now under contract with Italian giant Juventus, has tested positive for abnormal levels of testosterone.
This will likely end his career at the top level, as he will be around 35 years old when he is allowed to return to the field.
Paul Pogba was the star of the France national team in the 2018 World Cup. Photo: Reuters
Pogba said in a statement: “I am saddened, shocked and saddened that everything I built in my professional career has been taken away from me.
“When I am free from the legal restrictions, the whole story will become clear, but I have never knowingly or intentionally taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations.
“As a professional athlete, I would never do anything to enhance my performance using banned substances and I would never insult or deceive my fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I played for or against.”
Pogba pledged to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The Frenchman, who won the World Cup with France at his peak in 2018, will turn 31 next month, meaning he could be 35 by the time he is allowed back on the pitch.
The test, carried out after Juventus beat Udinese in their season-opening 3-0 on August 20, revealed the hormone that increases endurance.
He was an unused substitute in that Serie A match.
Paul Pogba's time at Manchester United is widely considered disappointing. Pic: PA
Pogba's positive test result was also confirmed in an antigen analysis on a second sample in October, ultimately leading to the maximum possible penalty.
Juventus did not issue a statement, but a source confirmed to Reuters news agency that the club has been notified and will evaluate next steps.
Pogba chose not to take a plea deal with WADA, so the case was tried before the country's anti-doping court.
The ruling was not announced due to privacy laws in Italy.
Due to injuries, he has made only eight appearances since returning to Juventus in 2022 from Manchester United on a free transfer for the second time.
During his first spell with Juventus between 2012 and 2016, Pogba received praise for his performances in the Italian League and in European competitions.
He has also impressed in the majority of his 91 appearances for France, particularly during the country's 2018 World Cup campaign.
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But Pogba's second spell at United – where he impressed as a youth player before moving to Juventus for first-team football – is widely considered a disappointment.
Signed for a then-record fee of over £80m, Pogba performed inconsistently for a dysfunctional United side that continued to struggle in the post-Alex Ferguson years.
