PAUL POGBA has been handed a huge four-year ban from football.
The former Manchester United star, 30, tested positive for banned substance DHEA, which naturally boosts testosterone production, in August.
The Juventus man has not featured for the Old Lady since September when he was handed a provisional suspension.
But he has now been given a back-dated four-year ban in full after the investigation was completed.
Pogba has now released a statement in which the Frenchman revealed his plans to appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.
It reads: “I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect.
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“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.
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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.
“As a consequence of the decision announced today I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
Pogba’s suspension runs from 11 September 2023 – the date he was provisionally banned pending investigation – to 10 September 2027.
The lengthy ban would mean the midfielder would be away from the pitch until he is 34-years-old.
Such a suspension could see Pogba hang up his boots if he is unsuccessful in any potential appeal.
According to Italian outlet La Repubblica, the prosecution did not believe the World Cup winner’s claims of accidental intake of DHEA.
The ban puts a pause, and possibly an end, to a glittering career for Pogba in which he has won a number of honours.
During his first stint at Juventus he won four Serie A title alongside two Italian Cups.
And his record £89m return to Man Utd in 2016 saw him lift both the league cup and the Europa League in his first season.
However it is his 2018 World Cup win that stands out as his biggest achievement with the then 25-year-old netting a crucial goal in France’s 4-2 final win over Croatia.
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
