Last September, Juventus Football Club star Paul Pogba was suspended by the Italian anti-doping authority after failing an anti-doping test following a 3-0 win over Udinese. Oddly enough, Pogba didn’t even play in that game but was still tested, where results revealed Pogba had testosterone not produced naturally by the body in his system.
But now, Pogba can expect to be sidelined for much, much longer.
According to The Athletic, Pogba has been suspended from soccer for four years due to failing the anti-doping test in 2023.
However, to no surprise, Pogba insists the verdict is “incorrect” and plans to file an appeal through 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.”
“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.”
Paul Pogba’s statement after four-year soccer ban
FIFA’s suspension guidelines for players who are found in violation of the anti-doping policy typically range between two and four years. The wide range of outcomes leaves room for the possibility that a player’s rule violation was unintentional.
Still under contract by Juventus through 2026, Pogba’s contract will expire before he’s allowed to return to the field of play unless an appeal is successful.
Related: Soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo makes sexually obscene gesture in Saudi Pro League win
Paul Pogba’s four-year suspension is not the longest in soccer history
A four-year suspension? One might think that’s the largest suspension in soccer history, but it’s not even close.
Back in 1989, Chilean goalkeeper Roberto Rojas suddenly collapsed to the ground, holding his face after fireworks went off in the stands nearby. The first assumption was that Rojas was impacted by the fireworks, but that wasn’t the case.
Instead, Rojas cut himself with a razor blade concealed in his glove. Chile was booted from the World Cup, and Rojas, his coach, and the team doctor were all banned from FIFA for life.
Related: 10 best soccer players of all time, from Kylian Mbappe to Lionel Messi