Paul Pogba’s football career all-but over as former Man Utd star BANNED for four years for doping
FORMER Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has been banned from football for four years.
Pogba, 30, tested positive for banned substance DHEA, which naturally boosts testosterone production, in August.
GettyPaul Pogba has been banned from football for four years[/caption]
The midfielder has not featured for Juventus since September, when he received a provisional suspension for the offence.
According to Italian outlet La Repubblica, the prosecution did not believe the Frenchman’s claims of accidental intake.
The Anti-Doping Prosecutor’s Office has therefore decided to punish Pogba with a four-year ban, which is understood to be the maximum sentence.
Pogba’s suspension runs from 11 September 2023 – the date he was provisionally banned pending investigation – to 10 September 2027.
That means he will not be allowed to return to the pitch until he is 34-years-old.
However, Sky Italy claim he plans to appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.
With his future in the game now in doubt, the World Cup winner could decide to retire.
Pogba re-joined Juventus on a free transfer from Man Utd in 2022 after falling out of favour at Old Trafford.
However, his second spell in Turin was marred by several injury issues prior to receiving the ban.
He was limited to 10 appearances last season and just two this campaign.
Before his second Juventus stint, the Frenchman spent six years with Man Utd.
He became the club’s most expensive signing after completing a £89million move from the Allianz Stadium in 2016.
Pogba made 233 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 39 goals and providing 51 assists.
However, he received heavy criticism from fans following a series of underwhelming performances in the latter stages of his time at Old Trafford.
The midfielder achieved more success on the international stage with France.
He won the World Cup with Les Bleus in 2018 and clinched the Nations League title three years later.
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