Italy: Paul Pogba, the renowned French midfielder and World Cup winner in 2018, has been handed a four-year ban from football after his failure in a doping test. The former Manchester United star, currently playing for Italian club Juventus, faces severe repercussions as his contract is now at risk of cancellation.
The Anti-Doping Tribunal of Italy imposed the ban on Pogba. He was also provisionally suspended in September after a drug test revealed elevated levels of testosterone. The 30-year-old player will be sidelined until the age of 34.
The ban stems from an incident after a match at Juventus in August 2023, despite Pogba being on the bench during the game. In response to the ban, Pogba expressed his dismay, stating that he was sad, shocked, and heartbroken. He further mentioned that once the legal restrictions are removed, the complete narrative will come to light. Furthermore, he stressed that he had never knowingly or intentionally consumed any supplements in violation of anti-doping regulations.
With 178 appearances for Juventus between 2012 and 2016, Pogba’s career has seen remarkable highs, including a World Cup victory in 2018. However, setbacks such as a knee injury that ruled him out of the 2022 World Cup and subsequent temporary bans have marred his trajectory. Despite his intention to appeal against the ban, the likelihood of a successful outcome remains uncertain.
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