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Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba says he is “sad, shocked and heartbroken” after being banned from football for four years for a doping offence.
The France international, 30, was provisionally suspended in September after a drugs test found elevated levels of testosterone in his system.
“Everything I have built in my professional career has been taken away from me,” he said in a statement.
The former Manchester United player added he would appeal.
Pogba was randomly tested after Juventus’ first match of the season on 20 August.
The positive test was confirmed by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal in a second sample in October, and the anti-doping prosecutor’s office requested a four-year suspension.
Juventus told the BBC they received notification from the anti-doping tribunal on Thursday morning.
Pogba said he believed the verdict was “incorrect” and he would “never knowingly or deliberately” dope.
“When I am free of legal restrictions, the full story will become clear,” he said.
“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.”
The ruling means 2018 World Cup winner Pogba will be unable to play until 2027, when he will be 34, with the ban backdated to the date of the failed test.
Speaking at the time of the initial suspension, Pogba’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, said: “What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule.”
Testosterone is a hormone that increases the endurance of athletes.
Nado said Pogba had violated rules when prohibited non-endogenous testosterone metabolites — substances not naturally produced by the body from testosterone — were found, and the results were “consistent with the exogenous (external) origin of the target compounds.” —BBC
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