Paul Pogba has gotten his entourage working to save his career from ending abruptly. The Juventus midfielder faces a potential four-year ban after failing his doping test in late August of 2023. The hearing on Pogba’s suspension is set to take place in January 2024.
Italian Newspaper Gazetta Dello Sport has enquired into the details of Pogba’s hearings. Accordingly, Pogba is set to request a reduction in his suspension. NADO, the Italian Anti-Doping Organisation had earlier requested a four-year ban on Paul Pogba.
🚨 Paul Pogba’s lawyers will try to secure a two-year ban in his doping case.
A four-year ban from football looms for the Frenchman when his case is heard in January.
(Source: @MailSport) pic.twitter.com/ODD8LpsPk6
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) December 9, 2023
The ban, if stands could potentially ruin the career of Paul Pogba. The French midfielder would be in his mid-thirties by the time time, he serves the suspension. Therefore, his lawyers are working swiftly to potentially lift the ban or to reduce it.
Paul Pogba isn’t the only Serie A player to face a ban for doping offenses. In 2018, Joao Pedro, then playing soccer for Cagliari was found guilty of doping. But, the Brazilian didn’t seek any plea bargain and instead accepted the charges. Hence, his suspension was reduced to six months. Pedro is currently in a contract with Brazilian club, Gremio.
Pogba himself has yet to seek a plea bargain and could use the same tactics in January to escape the potential ban. His lawyers would face a gigantic task as the shreds of evidence are stacked against the 30-year-old.
Juventus is set to terminate the contract of Paul Pogba
The World Anti-Doping Code mandates a 4-year suspension of players found guilty of doping. Therefore, the best option for the lawyers is to demonstrate that Pogba’s doping wasn’t intentional.
🚨 Juventus could reportedly terminate Paul Pogba’s contract this summer, just a year after he returned to the club from Manchester United. #Juve ⚪️⚫️[Gazetta dello Sport]
He has only played 3⃣5⃣ minutes this season. pic.twitter.com/bBaBqlXH1a
— Football Talk (@FootballTalkHQ) March 14, 2023
Paul Pogba’s scandal has alerted Juventus. The record Italian Champions have reportedly started the process to terminate the Frenchman’s contract. Since returning to Turin from Manchester United in the summer of 2022, Pogba hasn’t featured for the Bianconeri much.
Pogba could play merely 161 minutes in the 22/23 season for Juventus while he only added a further 52 minutes, before getting provisionally suspended in the 23/24 season. Several injuries to the ex-Manchester United midfielder’s return to Italian football.
The Frenchman has a contract with Juventus till the summer of 2026. The Italian Club is not likely to take any risks with Pogba’s situation and is likely to prioritize the club’s reputation more. The picture would only be clear, in the next trial, scheduled in January 2024.