Paul Pogba's four-year ban: Should DHEA be banned worldwide?

French football star Paul Pogba has been hit with a four-year ban from the sport due to a failed drug test in August 2023. This suspension casts doubt on the future of the World Cup-winning midfielder's career.

🚨 Paul Pogba releases an official statement after four year ban due to doping.

“I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping's decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect.

I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my… pic.twitter.com/qsi7cYKEfc

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 29, 2024

Understanding DHEA: The Substance Behind the Ban

The substance in question is Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which Pogba was found to have in his system. DHEA is a supplement known to naturally increase testosterone levels. However, it is included on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) list of prohibited substances. Deliberate use of DHEA to enhance performance can result in a maximum ban of four years.

DHEA: Anabolic Steroid and Performance Enhancer

DHEA falls under the category of anabolic androgenic steroids, which are hormones often misused for their muscle-building effects. While banned in sports, DHEA is not prohibited in several countries, including the United States, where it can be found in various supplements.

Past Cases: Precedents for DHEA Bans

This isn't the first time DHEA has led to a ban. UFC fighter Bobby Green received a six-month suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Agency after testing positive for DHEA in 2022. Green cooperated with authorities, leading to a reduction in his sentence. 

He claimed ignorance of DHEA's status as a banned substance, having been introduced to it via a YouTube video and subsequently taking it after his wife purchased it from a supermarket.