France and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been handed a four-year ban from football by Italy's anti-doping agency, Nado Italia, following a doping offense. The ban comes after Pogba tested positive for testosterone during a Serie A match, for which he received a provisional suspension in September. Although he did not play in the match where the test was conducted, Italian anti-doping prosecutors pressed for the maximum four-year ban during a trial held in December as per the World Anti-Doping Code.

In response to the ban, the 30-year-old expressed disbelief in a statement, declaring his intention to appeal the decision. Pogba maintained his innocence, emphasizing that he has never knowingly taken banned substances and has always adhered to anti-doping regulations throughout his career. The player's resolve to challenge the ruling led to the case being brought before the anti-doping court, where Pogba continued to refute the allegations against him.

Pogba's return to Juventus has been marked by injuries, limiting his appearances for the club since rejoining in 2022 to just eight matches. Additionally, he was sidelined from representing France in the World Cup due to a knee injury. Despite the setback of the ban, Pogba remains determined to clear his name and appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The specific details of the case and the court's ruling have not been disclosed publicly due to Italian privacy laws, but Pogba's firm stance on his innocence sets the stage for a legal battle to overturn the ban and restore his professional playing career.