Paul Pogba's problems

[K]

Former Man United star, World Cup winner faces lengthy ban after positive test

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/former-man-united-star-world-cup-winner-faces-lengthy-ban-after-positive-test-20230912-p5e3vh.html

'Juventus’ France midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance, Italy’s national anti-doping (NADO Italia) tribunal said on Monday.

The test, performed after Juve’s 3-0 Serie A season-opening victory at Udinese on August 20, detected testosterone, a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance.
...

Pogba has had a torrid second spell with Juve due to injuries since he returned to the Turin-based club following his departure from Manchester United on a free transfer last year.

The 2018 World Cup winner barely played last season due to knee and hamstring injuries as well as knee surgery which prevented him playing for France at last year’s tournament in Qatar.
...

Apart from injury troubles, Pogba said last year he was the target of extortion attempts and threats from an organised gang, with his brother Mathias placed under formal investigation.

Paul told the Paris prosecution office that he had been the target of extortion by childhood friends since March 2022 and had paid €100,000 euros ($167,000) to that group in the spring.

Mathias was taken into custody in September last year and released in December. The 33-year-old, who has also played professionally, denied the allegations against him.
...

“Sometimes I was just by myself thinking, ‘I don’t want to have money any more. I just don’t want to play any more. I just want to be with normal people, so they will love me for me - not for the fame, not for the money,’” he said.'

[Jezza]

Faces a 4-year ban.

What a way to destroy a career.

[K]

News from the last week: "Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba's failed drugs test has been confirmed after his B sample tested positive."

................................................................

In tennis, (in September) Simona Halep got a 4-year ban. Dunno about when the appeal's gonna be heard.

(Maybe I'll start a "Drugs in Sport" thread in the other forum.)

[K]

'Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba says he is "sad, shocked and heartbroken" after being banned from football for four years for a doping offence.
...

The club have a right to cancel the player's contract. However, we understand that Juventus will discuss the next steps with the player and his representatives before making a final decision on how to proceed.'

(BBC)

[Jezza]

^ He plans to appeal the punishment, but that's essentially the end of his professional career if the ban is upheld.