Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba faces a pivotal juncture in his career following the imposition of a four-year doping ban. Despite this setback, the World Cup-winning player from France has resolved to challenge the decision through an appeal process at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Pogba was placed under provisional suspension by an adjudicatory panel of Italy’s national anti-doping organization (NADO Italia) in September, subsequent to testing positive for testosterone—a prohibited substance known for its performance-enhancing properties.
While Juventus refrained from issuing a formal statement regarding the ban, a reliable source confirmed the club’s awareness of the ruling and expressed intentions to evaluate subsequent actions.
The 30-year-old, under contract with Juventus until June 2026, received notification of the decision on Thursday, vehemently denying any wrongdoing and asserting the erroneous nature of the verdict.
Expressing dismay and disappointment, Pogba conveyed in a statement, “I am saddened, shocked, and heartbroken to witness the dismantling of my professional career. As a committed athlete, I categorically disavow the utilization of banned substances to bolster my performance and maintain the integrity of fair play.”
Pogba intends to contest the ruling before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, emphasizing his commitment to clearing his name and restoring his professional standing.
NADO Italia refrained from offering comments on Pogba’s case, citing privacy regulations.
The doping examination, conducted subsequent to Juventus’ 3-0 triumph over Udinese in the Serie A season opener on August 20, detected the presence of testosterone, prompting the tribunal to infer an ‘exogenous’ (external) origin of the substance.
Although Pogba did not feature in the aforementioned match, he subsequently made two substitute appearances against Bologna and Empoli before being subjected to provisional suspension.
The imposition of the ban poses a significant threat to Pogba’s career trajectory at the elite level. Once among the highest-earning figures in the sport, Pogba’s transfer to Premier League powerhouse Manchester United in 2016 set a then-world record exceeding 100 million euros ($A166 million).
Sources indicate that Juventus currently remunerates Pogba with a base wage of 2,000 euros ($A3,300) per month.
Should the ban be upheld by CAS, Pogba risks contract termination and a prolonged absence from competitive action until September 2027, when he would be 34 years old.
Pogba iterated, “Upon liberation from legal constraints, the full extent of events will come to light. I adamantly assert that I have never knowingly or deliberately ingested supplements contravening anti-doping protocols.”
Pogba’s second stint with Juventus has been marred by persistent injuries since his return to the Turin-based club following his departure from Manchester United on a free transfer in 2022. Notably, injuries including knee and hamstring ailments, as well as subsequent knee surgery, severely limited his appearances last season, culminating in his absence from France’s World Cup squad in Qatar.