Everything we know about Paul Pogba's suspension: why he has been punished, if he could return and what has been said

Paul Pogba's future in football is in major doubt after he was handed a four-year ban for doping offences.

He Juventus The midfielder was provisionally suspended in September after testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone in his system.

first manchester united The star was randomly tested after Juve's first game of the season, a 3-0 win at Udinese August 20.

Pogba was an unused substitute in that match, but made two cameo appearances against Bologna and Empoli before its ban was announced.

The French international, who will celebrate his 31st birthday in March, has already suspended from football for four years.

Pogba's suspension is subject to appeal, but if the sentence is confirmed he will not be able to play until 2027.

Why has Pogba been punished?

Pogba returned a test that showed high levels of testosterone when Juventus played Udinese in late August.

The Italian anti-doping authority (ONAD) said the midfielder violated the rules when they found the banned substance “non-endogenous testosterone metabolites.”

Following the first results, Pogba and his team immediately demanded that a counter-analysis be carried out.

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And they showed that the midfielder's backup samples also tested positive for traces of a banned substance.

Testosterone is a naturally produced steroid hormone, but in sports, additional amounts can increase an athlete's endurance.

It is mainly used to build muscle mass, but it can also increase the athlete's concentration and motivation.

Pogba's agent, Rafela Pimenta, stated at the time of the suspension: “The truth is that Pablo Pogba “I never wanted to break a rule.”

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Have there been similar incidents?

talkSPORT understands The substance found in Pogba's body was DHEAwhich increases naturally produced testosterone.

That can be found in supplements, and it will be up to Pogba and his team to find the product to show how it got into his body.

During his time at Ajax, the current Man United goalkeeper André Onana tested positive for the banned substance furosemide.

The Cameroonian He claimed that he unknowingly took a pillLasimac, which his wife had previously been prescribed to relieve discomfort.

UEFA He accepted Onana's version of events but was still suspended for 12 months, although this was later reduced to nine on appeal.

The Argentine midfielder who won the World Cup Papu Gómez is currently serving a two-year sentence of football following a doping case during his time in Seville.

The Monza attacker said the banned substance terbutaline found in his system came from his son's cough medicine.

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Could Pogba return?

If Pogba fails to appeal his suspension, his suspension will expire in 2027.

By then he will be 33 years old and his suspension will be backdated to the date of the failed test.

However, the worst thing for the Frenchman would be that the four-year contract he signed at Juventus upon his return in July 2022 had expired, leaving him a free agent.

His return to the Old Lady has been an unmitigated disaster, with injuries ruining his first season in Italy.

Last season he only played ten games and only started one in all competitions.

Pogba has played twice for Juventus this season, although both appearances were from the bench.

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What has been said?

In a statement, Pogba said: “Today I have been informed of the decision of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping and I believe that the verdict is incorrect.

“I am sad, shocked and heartbroken because everything I have built in my career as a professional player has been taken away from me.

“When I am free of legal restrictions, the full story will be clear, but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplement that violates anti-doping rules.

“As a professional athlete, I would never do anything to improve my performance through the use of banned substances and I have never disrespected or misled my fellow athletes and fans of any of the teams I have played with or for or against.

“As a consequence of the decision announced today, I will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”