Following the doping allegations, it seems Paul Pogba is facing a four-year suspension.
The Disciplinary Court has handed down a four-year ban to 30-year-old midfielder Paul Pogba, following comparatively high testosterone levels detected in his blood during a drugs test carried out post-match against Udinese Calcio in August 2023. Despite Pogba's persistent denial of drug use, the court imposed the maximum penalty. Pogba has declared his intention to challenge this decision.
Pogba Denies Drug Charges
As reported by Italian news sources, the decision regarding Pogba's punishment was made by the Italian Disciplinary Court on February 29. Pogba, currently contracted to Juventus Turin, is now suspended for four years.
The suspension arises from a violation of the Doping Regulations. During Juventus' away game against Udinese Calcio on August 20, 2023, Pogba, who had been confined to the bench throughout the game, was required to submit a drugs test.
Both the A and B samples revealed markedly elevated testosterone levels in Pogba's blood.
In the middle of September 2023, Pogba was provisionally suspended and his pay was reportedly reduced considerably by his club, as per various Italian media outlets. Following further investigations, the Doping Prosecutor's Office requested a four-year suspension in December 2023. The competent court has now ratified this penalty, which is the maximum penalty for doping offenses.
Pogba Denies Charges
Throughout the investigation, Pogba has insisted on his innocence. During the investigation, he admitted to consuming performance-enhancing supplements, claiming he had unknowingly ingested testosterone.
Pogba's legal team is said to have rejected an offer from the prosecution that could have reduced the sentence to two years, as stated by various Italian news outlets. The prosecution apparently does not hold trust in Pogba's explanations.
Shortly after the ruling was announced, Pogba released a heartfelt message on his Instagram [Link in English]:
A post shared by Paul Labile Pogba (@paulpogba)
Pogba has declared his intention to challenge the verdict. His legal team is already reportedly working on this appeal. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) [Link in English] is now in charge.
The Pogba case is not the only investigation facing a Juventus Turin player. In October 2023, there were allegations against Nicolò Fagioli. The 22-year-old was subsequently suspended for a year for involvement in illegal sports betting. It appears that Fagioli will be returning to Juventus after serving his suspension.
Paul Pogba's Most Significant Achievements
For many years, Paul Pogba was regarded as one of the most promising talents in European football. The Frenchman made his debut in professional football when he moved from Manchester United to Juventus Turin in 2012. In 2013, he was honored with the prestigious Golden Boy Award for the player with the most promise under 21 years old. After four impressive seasons in the Serie A, he returned to Manchester United in the Premier League in 2016.
The transfer fee amounted to 105 million euros, plus an additional 5 million euros in bonus payments. At the time, Pogba's move to Manchester United set a new record for the most expensive transfer ever.
Pogba also excelled with the French national team. In 2013, he was named the best player of the U-20 World Cup and led his nation to victory. He then represented France and scored crucial goals during the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 European Championship. In 2018, Pogba scored a goal in the World Cup final, earning the French team the championship.
However, after this success, Pogba's career began to decline. He left Manchester United for Juventus Turin on a free transfer two years later, but has only made eight appearances for the Bianconeri so far.
What implications does the verdict have for Pogba's career?
Long-term suspensions can often signal a turning point in a professional athlete's career. If Pogba's ban is upheld, he may not be eligible to return to elite-level sport until he is 34 years old. Many Italian magazines speculate that the doping scandal and ensuing ban could mark the end of Pogba's career.
As yet, it remains unclear how Juventus Turin will react to the verdict. The club has yet to make a public statement, but experts suggest they will terminate Pogba's contract, which is officially scheduled to expire in the summer of 2026, and that Pogba could be without a club for the duration of his ban.
It remains to be seen whether Pogba will appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and whether they will confirm the ban. Until this verdict is issued, Pogba will remain ineligible to compete.
Despite Pogba's ongoing legal battle, news outlets continue to cover the developments firmly. If his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is unsuccessful, the maximum four-year ban could significantly impact his professional football career.
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