NEWS: Paul Pogba receives lengthy ban after failed doping test

World Cup winner Paul Pogba has been hit with a four-year ban for drug use that has effectively ended his career.

The former Manchester United midfielder, now playing in Italy for Juventus, failed a mandatory drugs test in September and has been provisionally banned since then.

Now, after a second sample also came back with elevated levels of testosterone, Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal and the anti-doping prosecutor’s office have requested a four-year suspension for the star.

Commenting on the ban Pogba said: “Everything I have built in my professional career has been taken away from me.

“When I am free of legal restrictions, the full story will become clear..

“As a professional athlete I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against.”

Pogba has confirmed that he will appeal the sentence. In the event that it is not overturned or reduced he will not be able to play again until 2027, by which stage he will be 33-years-old.