Izuchukwu OkosiThe football career of Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba may have finally come to its end following the decision to ban him for four years due to his involvement in drug-related offences.
Pogba, who has Guinean heritage, was provisionally suspended in September 2023 after a drugs test found elevated levels levels of testosterone in his system.
Pogba’s drug test was conducted after Juve’s first Serie A game of the 2023/2024 Season against Udinese on August 20 which the Old Lady won 3-0.
Pogba previously played for Manchester United which had a former legendary player – Rio Ferdinand – also banned, for eight months for similar offence.
Pogba’s camp is expected to appeal the ban placed on him by the Italian national anti-doping tribunal decision.
A Juventus spokesperson told the AFP news agency: “We received notification from the tribunal this (Thursday) morning.”
Pogba’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, said: “What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule.”
The latest ruling means Pogba will be unable to play until 2027.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
