Italian prosecutors seek four-year ban for Pogba for doping

Italian anti-doping prosecutors on Thursday sought a maximum four-year ban against Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba after the 2018 World Cup winner tested positive for testosterone.

Pogba chose not to negotiate a plea with Italy's anti-doping agency, meaning the case will be tried in the country's anti-doping court.

Four-year bans are the norm under the World Anti-Doping Code, but can be reduced in cases where an athlete can prove their doping was unintentional, the positive test was the result of contamination or it provides “substantial assistance” to assist investigators. .

Pogba's first positive test was announced in September, following a test after Juventus' match at Udinese on August 20. Pogba did not take part in the Serie A match but was on the Juventus bench.

Pogba has made no public comment on the matter.

“Humanly, I feel sorry for Paul,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said in October.

The doping case is another negative note for a player who has suffered injuries since joining Juventus from Manchester United in July 2022. He was ruled out of France's participation in the Cup final of the world last year due to a knee injury. He only made six Serie A appearances for Juventus last season and two this season.

A police investigation is also underway in France into allegations that Pogba was the target of extortion, including from his older brother Mathias, who has denied any wrongdoing.

Pogba scored for France in the 4-2 victory over Croatia in the 2018 World Cup final. He made 178 appearances for Juventus between 2012 and 2016.