FORMER Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has spoken out after being banned from football for four years.
Pogba, 30, tested positive for banned substance DHEA, which naturally boosts testosterone production, in August.
The midfielder has not featured for Juventus since September, when he received a provisional suspension for the offence.
According to Italian outlet La Repubblica, the prosecution did not believe the Frenchman’s claims of accidental intake.
The Anti-Doping Prosecutor’s Office has therefore decided to punish Pogba with a four-year ban, which is understood to be the maximum sentence.
Pogba’s suspension runs from 11 September 2023 – the date he was provisionally banned pending investigation – to 10 September 2027.
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What is DHEA?
PAUL POGBA tested positive for elevated levels of DHEA, a hormone that naturally occurs in the adrenal gland, in August 2023.
DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, can be used to naturally boost testosterone production. It does not produce testosterone itself.
It is on the world anti-doping banned substances list and carries a maximum of four years if the athlete took it deliberately to enhance their performance.
DHEA can legally be sold over-the-counter in the US as a dietary product, known as prasterone.
It is also taken as an anti-ageing therapy, and to treat depression and the symptoms of menopause, although there is little evidence to suggest it is effective, and it can cause serious side effects.
In 2022, UFC fighter Bobby Green received a six-month ban after testing positive for a DHEA.
Green said he had not realised that DHEA was banned after seeing a video on YouTube, and took the supplement after his wife bought it from a supermarket.
That means he will not be allowed to return to the pitch until he is 34-years-old.
However, in an official statement published on Thursday afternoon, the midfielder revealed that he plans to appeal the decision.
The statement read: “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.”
Pogba’s statement in full
Pogba’s statement read: “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.”
With his future in the game now in doubt, the World Cup winner could decide to retire.
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Reports claim Juventus are prepared to terminate his contract.
The club are yet to comment on the situation.
Pogba re-joined Juventus on a free transfer from Man Utd in 2022 after falling out of favour at Old Trafford.
However, his second spell in Turin was marred by several injury issues prior to receiving the ban.
He was limited to 10 appearances last season and just two this campaign.
Before his second Juventus stint, the Frenchman spent six years with Man Utd.
He became the club’s most expensive signing after completing a £89million move from the Allianz Stadium in 2016.
Pogba made 225 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 39 goals and providing 51 assists.
However, he received heavy criticism from fans following a series of underwhelming performances in the latter stages of his time at Old Trafford.
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The midfielder achieved more success on the international stage with France, earning 91 senior caps.
He won the World Cup with Les Bleus in 2018 and clinched the Nations League title three years later.
Paul Pogba’s career
2009 – Paul Pogba joins Manchester United’s academy from Le Havre as a 16-year-old.
2012 – Pogba leaves Old Trafford in a free transfer to Juventus having made just seven appearances for the Red Devils.
2014 – Representing France in his first World Cup, Pogba is named the tournament’s best young player as France bow out in the Quarter-Finals.
2016 – Pogba returns to Man United in Premier League record £89.3m deal after winning four consecutive league titles for Juventus.
2017 – Aged just 24 Pogba lifts both the Europa League and League Cup in his first season back at Man Utd.
2018 – Pogba wins the World Cup with France and scores crucial goal in 4-2 final win over Croatia.
2022 – After making over 225 appearances for Man Utd, Pogba returns to Juventus in another free transfer.
2023 – Pogba is provisionally suspended from professional football in September amid a doping investigation.
2024 – The star is banned for FOUR years after he tested positive for banned substance DHEA, which naturally boosts testosterone production, in August of the previous year.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
