Paul Pogba vows to appeal four year doping ban

France and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been banned for four years for a doping offence earlier this season.

The former Manchester United player has indicated he will appeal the suspension to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Pogba (30) was provisionally suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping (NADO Italia) tribunal in September after testing positive for testosterone – a banned substance.

The test, performed after Juve’s 3-0 Serie A season-opening victory at Udinese on 20 August, detected testosterone, a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance. The 30-year-old was an unused substitute in that game.

Pogba’s positive doping test was also confirmed in a counter-analysis on a second sample in October.

Given Pogba’s age, the ban will most likely mean the end of his playing career.

The player released a statement, saying he is “shocked and heartbroken”.

“I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect.

“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.”

Juventus did not comment but a source confirmed that the club had been notified about the decision of a four-year ban and would assess the next steps.

The Frenchman has had a torrid second spell with Juve due to injuries since he returned to the Turin-based outfit following his departure from Manchester United on a free transfer in 2022.

The 2018 World Cup winner barely played last season due to knee and hamstring injuries as well as knee surgery, which prevented him playing for France at the World Cup in Qatar.