Paul Pogba has received a 4-year ban from football for a doping offence after a Juventus game last August. 

Juventus and French international midfielder Paul Pogba has been tested positive for testosterone which is a banned substance in the football game. This took place after the game against Udinese last August then he became provisionally suspended in September. 

The test was found out by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado) in a second test which led the anti-doping prosecutor’s office to request a four-year suspension. Juventus stated they were sent the notification of the anti-doping tribunal on Thursday morning. 

It seems Paul Pogba was extremely gutted by this as he said in a statement, “Everything I have built in my professional career has been taken away from me.” He then went on to add he would appeal against this. Pogba also went on to say he believed the conviction was “incorrect” and he would “never knowingly or deliberately” dope. 

“When I am free of legal restrictions, the full story will become clear”, he said, mentioning he would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Pogba also went on to say, “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.” 

This suspension means Pogba will be unable to play until 2027 which by then he will be 34. Pogba’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta also spoke out and said, “What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule.” 

Testosterone is a chemical substance that increases muscle mass, power, endurance and promotes competitive behaviour of athletes. Nado said Pogba was in violation of the rules when forbidden non-endogenous testosterone metabolites substances not naturally produced by the body from testosterone were discovered and the results were “consistent with the exogenous [external] origin of the target compounds. 

Pogba has not had the best season with Juventus since he came back to Italy on a free transfer from Manchester United in 2022, which he only made 12 appearances while he suffered knee and hamstring injuries over there. He had rejoined United, where he spent time in the academy and made his professional debut, from Juventus for a then world record £93.2m in 2016. Pogba has only played a total of 51 minutes as a substitute this season in games against Bologna and Empoli. 

Is this the end for Pogba is the question we want an answer to.