Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been banned from football for four years for a doping offence. He was provisionally suspended in September after a drugs test found elevated levels of testosterone in the former Manchester United player’s system.
France international Pogba, 30, was randomly tested after Juventus’ first match of the season on 20 August. He was handed the ban by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado). The failed drugs test was confirmed by Nado in a second sample in October, and the anti-doping prosecutor’s office had requested the maximum four-year suspension.
Pogba, who joined Juventus from Manchester United in 2016 for a then world-record fee of £89m, has denied any wrongdoing and said he will appeal the decision. He said he was “sad, shocked and heartbroken” by the verdict and claimed he had never taken any banned substances.
“I have always been clean and I have always respected the rules. I don’t know how this could have happened. I will fight to clear my name and prove my innocence. I love football and I would never do anything to harm the sport or my reputation,” he said in a statement.
Pogba’s ban a huge blow for Juventus and France
Pogba’s ban is a huge blow for both Juventus and France, as he is one of the most influential and talented players in the world. He has won five Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia trophies and a Champions League runners-up medal with Juventus. He has also helped France win the 2018 World Cup and the 2020 European Championship, scoring in both finals.
Juventus, who are currently second in Serie A behind Inter Milan, will have to cope without their star midfielder for the rest of the season and beyond. They will also have to decide whether to keep him on their books or try to sell him, as his contract expires in 2025. His market value, which was estimated at around £80m before the ban, is likely to plummet as a result of the scandal.
France, who are the reigning world and European champions, will also miss Pogba’s presence and leadership in the midfield. They will have to find a replacement for him in the upcoming 2022 World Cup qualifiers and the 2023 Confederations Cup. Pogba, who has 87 caps and 16 goals for his country, will not be eligible to play for France until 2027, when he will be 34 years old.
Pogba’s ban sparks debate over doping in football
Pogba’s ban has sparked a debate over the issue of doping in football, as he is the most high-profile player to be caught and punished for a doping offence. Some have questioned the reliability and fairness of the testing and sanctioning process, while others have called for more transparency and education on the matter.
Some of Pogba’s teammates and former colleagues have expressed their support and sympathy for him, while others have condemned his actions and urged him to take responsibility. Some fans and pundits have also speculated on the possible motives and effects of Pogba’s doping, such as performance enhancement, injury recovery, or mental health issues.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), which oversees the global anti-doping system, has welcomed Nado’s decision and said it will monitor the appeal process. Wada’s director general Olivier Niggli said: “We are pleased that Nado has taken a strong stance against doping in football and has imposed a severe sanction on Mr Pogba. This sends a clear message that doping will not be tolerated and that anyone who cheats will face serious consequences.”
Pogba’s ban is the longest ever given to a footballer for a doping offence. The previous record was three years and six months, which was handed to former Brazil and Flamengo striker Paolo Guerrero in 2018 for testing positive for cocaine. Guerrero’s ban was later reduced to 14 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).
Pogba has 21 days to appeal the decision to Cas, which is the final arbiter of sports disputes. He will remain suspended until the appeal is resolved.
