Paul Pogba’s lawyers will reportedly try to get his potential four-year ban reduced to just two years during a hearing that is set to take place in January 2024.
On Thursday, Italian prosecutors suggested that former Manchester United midfielder Pogba to be hit with a four-year ban for failing a drugs test earlier this year.
Pogba, who joined Serie A giants Juventus after ending his six-year stay at United last summer, has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for the banned substance DHEA following his side’s win against Udinese on August 20.
Pogba’s B-sample also came back positive for the substance which naturally boosts testosterone production.
He is now waiting to find out the sanction that will be handed down but, according to Juventus correspondent Romeo Agresti, prosecutors have called for Pogba to be banned for four years – the mandatory ban under world anti-doping rules.
Now, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Frenchman’s entourage will look to battle the four-year charge and get it reduced to just half the amount of time.
They claim that Pogba is expected to have a final hearing in the early part of 2024 where he may look to agree a reduced sentence as part of a plea bargain.
It’s suggested that during the hearing, set to take place in the second half of January, they will try to demonstrate an absence of intent to consume the banned substance.
Juventus have already declared their non-involvement in the matter, suggesting that the offending product would have been hired without consulting the club doctors.
The ongoing investigation has led the Old Lady to consider the player’s future at the club, given the fact he will be 34-years-old by the time the potential four-year ban finishes.
The outlet further claim that a decision will not be taken by Juventus until the judge’s sentence and it will be based on the extent of the disqualification.
Should he receive a lengthy ban, the outlet claim that Juventus are willing to cut ties with Pogba and, in turn, save around £25million (€30 million).
