Paul Pogba, a midfielder for Juventus and the French national team, has been given a four-year suspension from playing football due to doping.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has reportedly been hit with a four-year ban from football for doping, according to Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado). The ban comes after Pogba tested positive for the banned substance DHEA back in August, following Juve’s Serie A clash with Udinese, where he remained on the bench.

The news gets worse for Pogba as his B sample also came back positive. As reported by La Repubblica, the ban will last until 2027, with the suspension starting from the date of the failed test. This means that the France international will be almost 34 years old by the time he is allowed to return to competitive football.

However, it has been reported that Pogba will appeal against the decision. His agent, Rafaela Pimenta, stated during the initial suspension in September that Pogba never intended to break any rules.

Pogba’s season has been marred by setbacks, as he has only made two appearances for Juventus this season, both as a substitute. The future for the World Cup winner is now uncertain.

After returning to Juventus for a second spell in 2022 following the expiration of his contract with Manchester United, Pogba’s hopes were dashed by a series of injuries that caused him to miss the 2022 World Cup with France and make just one start for Juventus in the 2022/23 season.