Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has been banned for four years over a doping offence, an outcome which could potentially end his career at the top level.
The Frenchman, who won a World Cup with Les Bleus in his heyday in 2018, turns 31 next month, meaning he could be pushing 35 by the time he’s allowed back on the pitch.
Pogba, who is now contracted to Italian giants Juventus, was provisionally suspended by the country’s national anti-doping tribunal in September after testing positive for testosterone.
The test, performed after Juve’s 3-0 season-opening victory at Udinese on 20 August, detected the hormone, which increases endurance.
He was an unused substitute in that game.
Pogba’s positive test was also confirmed in a counter-analysis on a second sample in October, ultimately leading to the maximum sentence possible.
Juventus have not released a statement, but a source confirmed the club has been notified and would assess the next steps, while Pogba’s representatives have been approached for comment.