Paul Pogba: Juventus midfielder banned for four years for doping
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been handed a four-year ban from football following a doping violation. The former Manchester United player faced provisional suspension in September after testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone during a routine drug test conducted after Juventus' first match of the season on 20 August.
Pogba, 30, who represents France internationally, intends to challenge the decision by Italy's national anti-doping tribunal (Nado). The confirmation of the failed drugs test came with a second sample in October, leading the anti-doping prosecutor's office to seek a four-year suspension.
This ruling sidelines Pogba until 2027, when he will be 33, with the ban retroactively applied from the date of the initial failed test. Pogba asserts that any potential use of banned substances was inadvertent, a sentiment echoed by his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, who stated, "What is certain is that Paul Pogba never intended to violate any regulations."
Testosterone, known for its performance-enhancing properties, was at the center of the violation. Nado concluded that Pogba breached regulations with the presence of prohibited non-endogenous testosterone metabolites in the test, indicating an external source of the substances.
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