Article: Paul Pogba, world champion with France, faces an extended suspension after the Italian anti-doping court requested a four-year ban for the Juventus midfielder, according to a club source. Pogba, 30, was provisionally suspended in September after testing positive for testosterone. A month later, a B sample confirmed the presence of the substance. Proceedings in the Italian sports justice system are ongoing, while the Turin prosecutor’s office has also opened a judicial investigation, as doping is a crime in Italy. “I can confirm that we received this notification from the anti-doping agency this morning with a request for four years (of suspension),” the Juve source told AFP. The 2018 World Cup winner’s sample is believed to have been taken during his club’s first match of the Serie A season, a win at Udinese on August 20, in which he was an unused substitute. Pogba’s representatives said the testosterone came from a dietary supplement prescribed by a doctor he saw in the United States. Under the World Anti-Doping Code, Pogba faces a four-year ban, which could be halved if he proves he is not responsible. The ban could even be limited to a few months if the use of the substance took place “outside competition and is not linked to his level of performance”. Since the announcement of his positive test, Pogba has been unable to train with Juventus, the club with which he returned in July 2022 after six seasons at Manchester United. The court’s recommendation is the latest in problems on and off the pitch for Pogba. Rising from the top of the world, Pogba slowly declined, plagued by injuries and a difficult personal life, which he admits was negatively affected by the amounts of money earned by top football players. In March 2022, intruders, including childhood friends, broke into Pogba’s home, holding him against his will and demanding 13 million euros ($14 million). Pogba ended up paying 100,000 euros of the sum and the affair taught him that “the only people who can hurt you are those who are close to you”. A knee injury prevented him from participating in the 2022 World Cup with the France team, with coach Didier Deschamps hoping the playmaker will “find his smile again”. A month after suffering the injury, his brother Mathias posted a video in which he threatened to reveal secrets about his superstar brother. Juventus also suspended the payment of his estimated annual salary of 8 million euros ($8.4 million).
Paul Pogba’s career has seen a series of controversies in recent times. The French midfielder, who won the World Cup in 2018 with the national team, faces a possible four-year ban after testing positive for testosterone. The Italian anti-doping court requested this suspension, and a judicial investigation is also underway in Italy since doping is considered an offense. According to the World Anti-Doping Code, Pogba could obtain a reduced sentence if he can prove that he is not responsible for this offense.
These doping problems are the latest for the Juventus player, who has also faced personal and medical problems in recent years. In March 2022, his house was broken into and he was held against his will by intruders who demanded a large sum of money. Pogba finally managed to get out of it by paying part of the sum demanded. This traumatic experience has certainly left its mark on the player. In addition to this, Pogba suffered a knee injury and was unable to participate in the 2022 World Cup with the French team. This series of problems undoubtedly had an impact on his career and personal life.
Juventus also took action by suspending the payment of Pogba’s annual salary, which amounts to €8 million. This decision shows that the club takes these accusations seriously and is waiting to hear the results of the investigation before making a final decision.
We can only hope that Pogba manages to overcome these difficulties and regain success on the football pitch. As a talented player and member of the French national team, he still has a lot to offer the world of football. Hopefully this story can find a fair and just resolution, so that Pogba can continue doing what he loves most – playing football.