Former Man Utd star found guilty of doping - Juventus star Paul Pogba banned for four years

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has reportedly been banned for four years by the Italian Anti-Doping Prosecutors Office. "We received notification from the tribunal this morning," a spokesman for Juventus told the AFP. The Juventus star failed a doping test following his side's clash with Udinese at the start of the season, when his result exceeded the limit of non-endogen testosterone. Following a counter-analysis also coming back positive, the player's lawyers argued that Pogba had accidentally taken the substance. However, that has now been thrown out and the agency has handed down the full repercussions for breaking doping rules. In response to the ruling, the French star confirmed that he will appeal the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. 

“I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect,” noted Pogba on his Instagram account. “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.”

After four years with the club, Pogba left Juventus in 2016 for a record transfer fee €105 million to his former academy club Manchester United. The Frenchman then returned to Italy on a free transfer in the summer of 2022. Injuries have kept Pogba to just 12 games with Juve since his return, and the 30-year-old also missed the 2022 World Cup. With a contract running until 2026, it's unlikely that the French midfielder will ever play for the Serie A giants again, with his deal likely to be brought to an end following this new ruling and suspension. 

Paul Pogba doping test – The end of a once-promising career? 

Now found guilty, the four-year ban is likely the end of what was considered to be a promising career. Developed by Man United, Pogba became a world-class midfielder at Juventus, where his market value grew from €6m to €70m. That market value would grow by another €30m to €100m following the 2018/19 season in which Pogba scored 13 goals and nine assists in 35 Premier League games. That season would be a high point that Pogba was never able to reproduce. With his output decreasing every year, Pogba saw his market value reduce to €48m during his last campaign with Man United. The drop in market value has not slowed down since joining Juve either, with Pogba hitting a low €15m following the last Serie A market value update. That market value is the lowest in over ten years. The positive doping test, now more than ever, will put a question mark on the future of the midfielder’s career.