Italy’s anti-doping authorities on Thursday sought a maximum punishment of 4-year-ban for Juventus playmaker Paul Pogba. The recommendation comes after the World Cup winner was found to have tested positive for testosterone, with the maximum sentence being ban for four years.
Pogba declined to enter into a settlement agreement with Italy’s Anti-Doping Agency, which means the case will now be brought before Italy’s Anti-Doping court.
Four-year suspensions are the norm under the World Anti-Doping Code, but they can be reduced if an athlete can prove they didn’t take the drugs intentionally, the positive test was due to contamination, or if they provide “substantial assistance” to investigators.
Pogba’s first positive test came in September, following a test taken after Juventus’ August 20 home game against Udinese. Pogba didn’t start that game, but was on the bench.
Pogba’s initial suspension was labelled as ‘precautionary’ by his club Juventus. “Juventus Football Club announces that today, September 11, 2023, the footballer Paul Labile Pogba received a precautionary suspension order from the National Anti-Doping Tribunal following the results of tests carried out on August 20, 2023,” read a statement from the Serie A club.
Pogba’s agent had revealed that Pogba was working hard off the pitch to be fit and ready once his ban comes to an end. The agent also claimed that returning to football was the only thing on Pogba’s mind.
“We are doing everything we have to do. Those who know Paul know what has happened. They know that Paul is an honest, correct person and that he always does things with integrity. He is living it with confidence and professionalism. He trains all the time and only thinks about getting through these difficult moments to come back,” Rafaela Pimenta had said.
With the Italian anti-doping’s recommendation, it doesn’t look like Pogba will be on a football pitch playing a competitive game anytime soon.
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