Ex-Manchester United star Pogba banned for two years for doping violations

French World Cup winner Paul Pogba has received a two-year ban from footballing activities after failing two doping tests.

Pogba’s A and B samples both showed signs of metabolites of a banned substance, Dehydroepiandrosterone, a banned substance that naturally boosts testosterone production, and he has been suspended indefinitely by Juventus since early September.

The Juventus midfielder’s failed tests came from a Serie A match against Udinese at the start of the 2023/24 Serie A season, where he was an unused substitute for the Old Lady.

The French midfielder had pleaded his innocence, claiming that the substance found in his system was only the result of a home remedy, but following an inquisition into the matter, he has now been handed a two-year ban from all footballing activities.

If the ban remains unappealed, Pogba will be unable to play again until 2024, missing two years of football, including the 2024 Euros in Germany.

The Juventus man, who has seen his salary slashed to just €4,000 during the ordeal, now risks having his contract with the Old Lady cancelled entirely.

The 2018 World Cup winner with France will now be unavailable to play football until he turns 32, at which time he will find it difficult to secure a new club.

The former Manchester United star has been courted in the past by clubs in Saudi Arabia, and could take that option if his stock has fallen at the time of his return.