Former Manchester United star Paul Pogba has been handed a four-year ban from football due to a doping violation, News About Nigeria reports.
The ban, imposed by the National Anti-Doping Tribunal, was because of a failed drug test during Pogba’s stint with Italian club Juventus.
The midfielder was initially suspended in September after the drug test revealed the presence of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), a banned substance.
A secondary sample was counter-analysed, confirming the positive result, leading to the decision on the four-year ban, the maximum penalty a player could receive.
The ban has implications for Pogba’s football career, as it will sideline him until at least 2028.
At that point, the French midfielder could be 35 years old.
His contract with Juventus, which was set to run until the summer of 2026, will now be terminated prematurely, marking the end of his second stint with the club.
Pogba returned to Juventus in 2022 following a free transfer from Manchester United. However, his return has been marred by injuries and the subsequent doping controversy.
He managed only two appearances in the current season before the suspension due to fitness issues.
The ban not only affects Pogba’s club career but will also affect Pogba’s hopes of representing his nation, France, in future competitions.
He has earned 91 caps for France, with his last appearance in 2022.
French national team manager Didier Deschamps expressed sympathy for Pogba in December, stating that the player has struggled with personal problems affecting his performance and health.
During his six-year stint with Manchester United, Pogba, who became the most expensive footballer in English history with an £89 million move in 2016, made 226 appearances and scored 39 goals.
