- Paul Pogba failed a drugs test last year and was given a four-year ban
- The ban could spell the end of the former Man United star’s career
- Manchester United’s Sir Jim Ratcliffe can rebuild the stadium, build a museum… but they have to pay for it – It’s all Kicking Off podcast
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has reportedly been handed a four-year football ban after failing a drugs test last August.
The 30-year-old tested positive for testosterone after Juventus’ first match of the season against Udinese, and was handed his harsh punishment by an anti-doping prosecutor’s office in Italy on Thursday, as reported by La Repubblica.
Pogba’s lawyers had rejected a plea deal and hoped to get their client a lighter sentence after claiming he accidentally ingested the substance that caused the positive test.
However, the prosecutor did not believe Pogba’s defense and he has now been handed a ban that could potentially end his career.
Pogba turns 31 next month, meaning he won’t be able to return to the pitch until he’s 35.
Paul Pogba has been banned for four years after failing a drugs test last year
Pogba was once the most expensive player in the world when he signed for Man United for £89 million in 2016
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Pogba’s suspension completes a dramatic fall from grace for a player who was once the most expensive footballer in the world.
The Frenchman returned to Old Trafford in 2016 after coming through the club’s academy before flourishing at Juventus, with United paying the Italian giants £89million for his services.
Pogba won the World Cup with France two years later, scoring in the final against Croatia, but struggled to reach the same heights at United.
He left the thirteen-time Premier League champions for the second time in 2022 on a free transfer to return to Juventus, where he wanted to revive his career.
But his first year back in Turin proved disastrous as he missed most of the campaign due to injury.
He was named on the bench for their opening match of the 2023/24 season, but was an unused substitute in their 3–0 win over Udinese.
After that match he returned for a test which led to him receiving a four-year ban.
More to follow…