Paul Pogba Faces Doping Ban: Career in Jeopardy as Juventus Midfielder Vows to Appeal

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba’s future in football is hanging by a thread after he received a four-year doping ban. The France World Cup winner intends to fight the decision and clear his name by appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Pogba was provisionally suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping organization (NADO Italia) in September after testing positive for testosterone, a banned substance known for enhancing athletes’ endurance. While Juventus refrained from commenting on the ban, sources confirmed that the club was informed of the decision and would consider its next steps.

Expressing shock and dismay, the 30-year-old, who is under contract with Juventus until June 2026, vehemently denied any wrongdoing. He insisted that he would never resort to using banned substances to boost his performance and vowed to challenge the verdict.

In a statement, Pogba said, “I am saddened, shocked, and heartbroken that my entire professional career has been tarnished. As a professional athlete, I have never used prohibited substances or sought to deceive fellow athletes or supporters.”

NADO Italia declined to comment on Pogba’s case, citing privacy regulations. The doping test, conducted after Juventus’ 3-0 victory against Udinese in August, revealed the presence of testosterone, with the tribunal indicating that the substance likely had an external origin.

Although Pogba was on the bench during the Udinese match, he later made appearances against Bologna and Empoli before receiving the provisional suspension. If the ban is upheld by CAS, it could effectively end Pogba’s career at the highest level, as he would be unable to return to action until September 2027, at the age of 34.

Pogba, who was once among the highest-paid players in the sport, has faced setbacks during his second stint with Juventus due to persistent injuries. These setbacks include knee and hamstring injuries, as well as knee surgery, which prevented him from representing France in the World Cup in Qatar.

Despite the challenges, Pogba remains resolute in his innocence, stating, “I have never knowingly violated anti-doping regulations, and the full truth will come to light once I am legally free to share my side of the story.”