Paul Pogba, the midfielder for France and Juventus, has received a four-year ban due to a doping violation earlier this season. In September, Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal provisionally suspended Pogba after he tested positive for testosterone, a prohibited substance.
The test, conducted after Juventus’ 3-0 Serie A season-opening win against Udinese on August 20, revealed the presence of testosterone, a hormone known for enhancing athletes’ endurance.
Despite being an unused substitute in that game, the 30-year-old midfielder, Paul Pogba, tested positive.
Confirmation of Pogba’s positive doping test came through a counter-analysis on a second sample in October. Rather than pursuing a plea bargain with Italy’s anti-doping agency, Pogba chose to have the case tried before the country’s anti-doping court.
A source with direct knowledge of the case confirmed the verdict to The Associated Press under anonymity due to Italy’s privacy laws.
Juventus refrained from commenting, but a source verified that the club had been informed about the four-year ban decision and would evaluate their next course of action.
Paul Pogba has the option to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, based in Switzerland. However, the severity of the sentence could potentially mark the end of Pogba’s career, particularly as the French international is set to turn 31 next month.
While four-year bans align with the World Anti-Doping Code’s standards, they may be reduced under certain circumstances.
Reductions are possible if an athlete can demonstrate that their doping was unintentional, if the positive test resulted from contamination, or if they provide “substantial assistance” to investigators.
Paul Pogba has faced a challenging second stint with Juventus, largely due to injuries, following his return to the Turin-based club after departing Manchester United on a free transfer in 2022.
The 2018 World Cup champion endured a limited playing time last season, hampered by knee and hamstring injuries, along with knee surgery. These setbacks ultimately prevented him from representing France at the World Cup in Qatar.