British media revealed that player Paul Pogba has turned down an offer to return to playing football, despite the challenging circumstances he is facing.
The Daily Mail reported that “the French star, who has been banned for four years due to doping, had the opportunity to join a Russian club that is not under the umbrella of the International Football Association (FIFA).”
It elaborated, “Brook Boys Club in the Russian media league offered the Juventus player a chance to join its ranks, especially since the club does not follow the Russian Football Union and is not subject to FIFA rules, making his participation legal.”
The report added that the media league includes clubs formed by influential figures and celebrities, achieving significant success in Russia and attracting millions of fans.
It confirmed that Paul Pogba rejected the offer due to the shock of being unable to play football until 2027.
It concluded, “The French international’s contract with ‘Juventus’ ends in June 2026, but it is expected that the Italian club will announce the termination of the contract following the decision by the Italian Anti-Doping Court to ban Pogba for four years.”
Paul Pogba, the Juventus midfielder, has found himself in a challenging situation after a doping test confirmed the presence of testosterone, leading to a provisional suspension. The test was conducted following Juventus’ match at Udinese on August 20, 2023, and a subsequent counter-analysis on a second sample also returned a positive result. Despite these findings, Pogba’s agent stated that the player had no intention of breaking the rules. Juventus and its coach, Massimiliano Allegri, have refrained from commenting on the matter, with Allegri expressing sympathy for Pogba’s situation. If found guilty, Pogba could face a suspension ranging from two to four years, which could significantly impact his career, given his contract with Juventus is set to expire in June 2026. This period has been especially tough for Pogba, who has struggled with injuries and was unable to participate in the last World Cup due to knee surgery.
Further complicating matters, anti-doping prosecutors in Italy have recommended a maximum four-year ban for Pogba. The player decided against a plea bargain, opting instead for a trial before Italy’s anti-doping court. This decision means that the court will determine the final outcome, with a four-year ban potentially ending the 30-year-old’s career. However, there are provisions within the World Anti-Doping Code that allow for reduced sentences if an athlete can prove the doping was unintentional, due to contamination, or if they assist investigators in a significant way. The case stems from a test after the game at Udinese, where Pogba did not play but was included on Juventus’ bench. The request for a counter-analysis also yielded a positive result.
