Juventus midfielder and France international Paul Pogba has been handed a four-year ban from football due to a failed anti-doping test.
Pogba originally received a provisional suspension from NADO Italia, the country’s anti-doping agency, in early September after his sample tested positive for testosterone. The test was originally performed in late August following Juve’s victory over Udinese.
The court made its ruling early Thursday afternoon and banned Pogba from professional football until August 2027.
The 30 year-old reacted to the court’s ruling on social media, labeling the verdict “incorrect” while asserting he’ll appeal the decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
“I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect,” the midfielder wrote on Instagram.
“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.”
Adding, “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.”
