Pogba banned 4 years for doping, to appeal

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been handed a four-year ban for a doping offence earlier this season, with the France international saying on Thursday that he will appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Sky Sport Italy and La Repubblica had reported that the sports prosecutor's request for a four-year ban was granted.

Juventus did not comment but a source confirmed the club was notified about the decision and would assess the next steps. The 30-year-old Pogba, who has denied any wrongdoing, has a contract at Juve until June 2026.

"I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping's (NADO Italia) decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect," Pogba said in a statement.

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

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

Italy's national anti-doping organisation (NADO Italia) declined to comment on Pogba's case citing privacy rules.

Pogba was provisionally suspended by a NADO Italia tribunal in September after testing positive for testosterone - a banned substance and hormone that increases athletes' endurance.

[[nid:671343]]

The test, performed after Juve's 3-0 Serie A season-opening victory at Udinese on Aug 20, detected testosterone, with the tribunal saying the results were consistent with an 'exogenous' (external) origin of the substance.

Pogba was an unused substitute in that game but he later made two appearances off the bench against Bologna and Empoli before he was handed a provisional suspension.

Pogba's positive doping test was also confirmed in a counter-analysis on a second sample in October.

The ban could effectively end Pogba's career at the highest level, with the Frenchman -- who was among the sport's highest-earning players at his peak -- unable to return to action until September 2027 when he will be 34.

"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," Pogba added.

"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."

Pogba has had a torrid second spell with Juve due to injuries since he returned to the Turin-based club following his departure from Manchester United on a free transfer in 2022.

The 2018 World Cup winner barely featured last season due to knee and hamstring injuries as well as knee surgery, which prevented him playing for France at the World Cup in Qatar.