Why has Paul Pogba been banned from football?
PAUL Pogba is best known for his career in football - but now he's facing a lengthy ban from the sport.
The former Manchester United star tested positive for a banned substance and has been handed a hefty punishment by an anti-doping prosecutor's office in Italy.
Why has Paul Pogba been banned from football and how long is the ban?
Paul Pogba has been banned from football for four years after testing positive for a prohibited substance.
The Frenchman, 30, had been provisionally suspended since September after testing positive for DHEA last August.
DHEA is known as a substance that can enhance levels of testosterone.
According to Italian outlet La Repubblica, the prosecution did not believe the Frenchman's claims of accidental intake.
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The Anti-Doping Prosecutor's Office has therefore decided to punish the midfielder with a four-year ban
The suspension runs from 11 September 2023 - the date he was provisionally banned pending investigation - to 10 September 2027.
Pogba turns 31 next month, meaning he won't be able to return to the pitch until he's almost 35.
The World Cup winner will reportedly appeal the ban to the Court of Arbitration.
When did Paul Pogba test positive for DHEA?
Paul Pogba tested positive for taking DHEA after Juventus' Serie A opener against Udinese in August 2023.
He was provisionally suspended in Septemeber and hasn't featured for the Italians since.