Juvetus Midfielder Paul Pogba banned from football for four years over doping offence

 

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has been handed a four-year ban from football over a failed drugs test.

The 30-year-old, a World Cup winner with France, failed doping test due to elevated levels of testosterone in August last year while playing for current club Juventus.

He was provisionally suspended in September. Counter analysis of a B sample found the same results produced by his initial doping test in August, leaving his fate in the hands of Italy’s anti-doping prosecutor’s office.

A four-year ban from all football has now been confirmed by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (NADO).

In a statement Pogba said he has been left ‘shocked and heartbroken’ by the decision, insisting the verdict is ‘incorrect’.

Pogba will appeal the decision before 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,’ Pogba said.

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.’