Rome, Feb 29 (EFE).- Juventus' French international midfielder Paul Pogba has been banned from football for four years for doping, Italy's national anti-doping tribunal (Nado) said Thursday.

Pogba, formerly of Manchester United, was initially suspended by Nado after testing positive for testosterone following a random test after a match against Udinese on Aug. 20, in which he was an unused substitute.

The footballer, who won the World Cup in 2018 with France, tested positive in the second sample which was carried out in September.

He had been provisionally suspended since October while Nado carried out its investigation.

Pogba, 30, has a contract with the Turin side until June 2026.

In a statement, Pogba said he was "sad, shocked and heartbroken" by Nado's verdict, which he believes "is incorrect."

He insisted that he had "never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations."

Pogba said he would appeal Nado's decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). EFE

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