The Italian anti-doping court issued a four-year ban on French midfielder Paul Pogba after testing positive for a banned substance last year.

Midfielder Paul Pogba has been banned from playing for 4 years by the Italian anti-doping court, a decision just issued today, February 29. The 2018 World Cup champion tested positive for testosterone.

Pogba’s positive test result was announced in September 2023, stemming from a test performed after Juventus’ match with Udinese on August 20.

In that match, Pogba did not play in Serie A but sat on Juve’s bench. A Juventus spokesman said the club had received notice of this decision by the Italian anti-doping court.

Pogba chose not to enter a plea deal with Italy’s anti-doping agency even though the case was tried before the country’s anti-doping court.

Pogba can appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport based in Switzerland. This sentence could end Pogba’s career when the French international turns 31 next month.

Under the Anti-Doping Code, four-year bans can be reduced in cases where athletes can prove their doping was unintentional.

Paul Pogba rejoined Juventus from Manchester United in 2022 but struggled with injuries. The French midfielder only played 6 matches in Serie A for Juventus last season and 2 matches this season.

Pogba was unable to join the French team in attending the 2022 World Cup finals due to a knee injury.

Pogba helped France win the 2018 World Cup, scoring in a 4-2 victory over Croatia in the final. He played 178 matches for Juventus from 2012-2016.