“End of career”, “Pogba banned”, “good faith and extenuating circumstances”: the press reacts to the four years of suspension required against Paul Pogba

Things are getting tough for Paul Pogba. Last August, after an anti-doping test carried out following the Serie A match between Udinese and Juventus Turin, the French midfielder tested positive for testosterone. The Italian anti-doping court took up the case and the 2018 world champion was excluded from the professional group of the Turin club. A new turning point occurred in this affair this Thursday. The transalpine anti-doping prosecution requested a four-year suspension against the former Manchester United player, an announcement which obviously caused a reaction in the French and foreign press.

In England where Pogba played for many years, the Daily Mail suggests that “Italian prosecutors want Paul Pogba to be banned for four years after failing a doping test”, a decision which “could mean the end of Pogba's career. the former Man United star. For its part, The Sun writes that “the confirmation of the Frenchman's four-year suspension would allow Juve to dismiss him for breach of contract”, because Pogba is still committed to the Bianconeri until 2026. The “Veille Dame” could then “make significant savings”.

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In France, L’Équipe explains that “in the absence of agreement with sporting justice, Paul Pogba will have to prove his good faith during his judgment and is determined to do so”. In truth, “this requisition from the anti-doping prosecution is neither severe nor light. Four years is the penalty provided for by the regulations in this type of case, namely the taking of a prohibited product", but "it was surprising because rumors were buzzing in recent days of a possible agreement between the clan Pogba and sporting justice to reduce the sentence and avoid a trial. Foot Mercato is also a little more “lenient” towards the former player of the France team, recalling that Pogba “has extenuating circumstances in this matter”.

Indeed, the unintentionality of his taking testosterone changes a lot of things, with a view to the trial, because it can reduce the sentence from four to two years of suspension, or even to a few months if he manages to prove that the substance was taken out of competition. Pogba will also be able to appeal the sanction to the CAS in Lausanne if he wishes. In the meantime, the Italian National Anti-Doping Court has 40 days to set the date for the 2018 world champion's trial.