Paul Pogba

Following Juventus–Udinese on 20 August 2023, Pogba tests positive for DHEA. The Italian anti-doping tribunal initially imposes a four-year suspension. In October 2024, the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirms the anti-doping violation but reduces the sanction to 18 months, effective from 11 September 2023. The suspension expires in March 2025; Juventus and Pogba had meanwhile agreed to terminate his contract.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Directly implicated

Pogba states that childhood friends held him captive at gunpoint and demanded €13 million for purported protection services. He says he paid approximately €100,000. His brother Mathias simultaneously publishes allegations against him. In December 2024, six men are convicted of extorting or attempting to extort Paul Pogba.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist is the victim

After France–Germany, Pogba, a practising Muslim, discreetly moves a bottle of Heineken 0.0 beer placed in front of him at the press conference. The incident goes viral amid a series of similar gestures involving tournament sponsors.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

On the eve of a decisive Champions League match, agent Mino Raiola publicly declares that Pogba's time at Manchester United is 'over', that he is unhappy and should leave. The announcement provokes fresh turmoil over the player's commitment to the club.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Personally implicated

After Pogba publicly criticises Manchester United's tactical approach, José Mourinho removes him from the vice-captaincy. A few days later, cameras capture a tense exchange during training, notably concerning when Pogba posted an Instagram video following a defeat. The conflict becomes emblematic of the club's internal crisis.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Directly implicated

Pogba's transfer from Juventus to Manchester United for approximately £89.3 million becomes the subject of a FIFA investigation following Football Leaks revelations about agent commissions potentially reaching approximately £41 million for Mino Raiola. The case reignites debate over transparency and conflicts of interest in transfers.

State of the evidence

Documented

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

After a French goal against Albania at Euro 2016, footage shows Pogba making a gesture widely interpreted as an offensive middle-finger salute towards the section where the media are seated. The episode sparks controversy over his relationship with the press and even over French broadcasters' decision not to show the footage immediately.

State of the evidence

Disputed

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Directly implicated

After Pogba leaves Manchester United for Juventus on a free transfer in 2012, Alex Ferguson accuses him of disrespecting the club. In 2014, Pogba responds that he himself had been mistreated, claiming in particular that he had been sidelined and forced to train alone during the contractual dispute.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Personally implicated