Paul Pogba: Juventus, France midfielder 'shocked' after receiving four-year ban from football for doping

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been handed a four-year ban from football for doping by Italy's national anti-doping tribunal (Nado).

Pogba tested positive for the banned substance DHEA back in August, following Juve's Serie A encounter with Udinese in which the ex-Manchester United midfielder remained on the bench.

His B sample then also came back positive, and now comes the news that he will be banned until 2027, with the ban starting from the date of the failed test.

France international Pogba will be nearly 34 by the time he is permitted to return to competitive football.

He said on Instagram: "I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect.

"I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me.

"When I am free of legal restrictions the full story will become clear, but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations.

"As a professional athlete I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against.

"As a consequence of the decision announced today I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport."

Pogba was provisionally suspended in September after elevated levels of testosterone were found in a random test following Juventus' 3-0 win over Udinese on the opening day of the 2023/24 season.

Pogba's agent, Rafaela Pimenta, said at the time of the initial suspension: "What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule."

Pogba has made just two appearances for Juventus this season, both from the bench.

It is now uncertain what the future holds for the 2018 World Cup winner.

He returned to Juventus for a second spell in the summer of 2022 after his contract with Manchester United expired.

But a series of injuries saw him miss the 2022 World Cup with France and make just one start for Juventus in the 2022/23 season.

As well as injury issues, Pogba was allegedly the target of a £11.3m blackmail plot by his brother Mathias and childhood friends.

Juventus are yet to comment on Pogba’s ban but when he joined in 2022, the midfielder signed a four-year deal with the club.

Pogba was signed for a then world-record fee of £89m by Manchester United in 2016.

Jose Mourinho, who was Manchester United manager at the time, said Pogba had the "chance to be at the heart of this club for the next decade and beyond".

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