Paul Pogba Ban: Suspension Duration, Implications and All Other Details After Italy Football’s Serious Move

Well, it seems like Paul Pogba’s actions have finally caught up to the player, with the French soccer star failing to pass his dope test last year in September. Following a lengthy trial, the Juventus star has been slapped with a four-year ban. It is a massive setback for the player, as the ban could spell the end of his playing career. From one of the biggest stars in the world to an athlete charged with substance abuse, it’s tragic to see how things go downhill for the Frenchman.

Juventus temporarily suspended Paul Pogba last year in September after he failed a doping test following the team’s 3-0 win over Udinese. The player’s blood sample showed high levels of testosterone, a banned substance for athletes. Following the test results, the player was separated from the first team as he requested Juventus to retake the test to clear him from doping suspicions.

However, the second result also came out positive, resulting in Juventus reducing his $8.5 million contract to a minimum wage bill during his time at the club. With the four-year ban now in play, Pogba could also lose out on his existing contract, as Juventus has all grounds to terminate his contract.

Despite the ban, Pogba is still ardent because he did not intentionally use the prohibited substance. The player reacted to his ban with a social media post, claiming he would bounce back from this setback.

Paul Pogba looks to challenge a four-year ban in substance abuse case

Pogba talked about the National Tribunal’s decision regarding his ban in an Instagram post expressing his feelings over the issue. The player stated, “I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’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.”

READ MORE: Paul Pogba Ban: Will Juventus Still Pay Him Despite 4-Year Ban?

He then added that he has never done anything to compromise his career and will be appealing against the decision in the coming weeks. Pogba continued, “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.”

It will be interesting to see if the CAS provides any relief to the player in the coming weeks. The Frenchman isn’t the first player to have suffered a ban for taking prohibited substances in recent months. Argentina star, Papu Gomez, also received a two-year ban in a substance abuse case last year. Hopefully, for Paul Pogba, the ban would be reduced to revitalize his soccer career. 

READ MORE: Paul Pogba Calls 4-Year Doping Ban ‘Incorrect’ As Paulo Dybala, Khabib Nurmagomedov & Others Support the ‘Heartbroken’ Juventus Star