New Delhi: French Juventus Star Paul Pogba has been banned for four years from football on charges of doping. After the Juventus versus Udinese match, Italy’s national anti-doping agency (NADO Italia) took some Juventus players, including Pogba who didn’t play the game, for drug testing. The French midfielder tested positive for testosterone.
After this, the Italian prosecutors recommended a four-year ban on him from football. In a statement, Pogba said he will appeal against this ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sports(CAS). “I have been today informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect.”
“I’m sad, shocked, and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me. When I’m free from legal restrictions the full story will become clear, but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations.”
“As a professional athlete, I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against.
“As a consequence of the decision announced today, I will appeal this before the CAS.” Since the day Paul Pogba tested positive for testosterone, he has insisted that he has never taken testosterone or any supplements to increase his body energy.
A World Cup winner, Pogba in 2022 was in trouble outside of the pitch with his brother, Mathias Pogba who revealed that the player uses ‘witchcraft’ to stay on the top of football, especially in the French national team.
Paul Pogba left Manchester United FC in 2022 to join Juventus FC, on four years contract deal. In the current season, Juventus Star, he played only 51 minutes.