Paul Pogba says he is “heartbroken” at being handed a four-year ban from football for an anti-doping violation and will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Pogba was suspended in September 2023 after returning a positive sample for testosterone following Juve’s 3-0 win over Udinese on August 20.
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A B sample in October confirmed the result and left Pogba facing an investigation from the National Anti-Doping Prosecutor’s Office, who requested the maximum sanction.
That sanction was upheld by the National Anti-Doping Tribunal, leaving Pogba facing up to the fact his career is likely over. As it stands, he won’t be able to play until 2027 with the ban backdated to the date of the failed test.
He said in a statement: “I have today been informed of the National Anti-Doping Tribunal’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect.
“I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me.
“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.
“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.
“As a consequence of the decision announced today I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
The French World Cup-winner has endured a miserable second spell at Juventus after re-joining from Manchester United at the end of the 2021-22 season.
He initially joined United in 2009 as a teenager before leaving for Juve in 2012.
He was lured back to Old Trafford in 2016 for a then world-record fee of £89million only to run down his contract and move back to Turin.
Pogba managed just 162 minutes of playing time in all competitions last season and made two substitute appearances this term.
He was placed on a special contract when initially suspended with Juve only willing to pay him the minimum allowed. And the club must now decide what to do with a player whose deal ends in June 2026.
