Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been handed yet another blow as the Italian club decided to splash his salary after he was found guilty of taking a prohibited drug.
The former Manchester United midfielder received a four-year ban, effectively marking the potential end of his career as a professional footballer, though he has expressed his intention to contest the decision.
In the meantime, Pogba, once the world's most expensive footballer following Manchester United's €105 million transfer from Juventus in 2016, now faces the possibility of living on an ordinary wage.
“His salary has been drastically reduced and no longer impacts the Juventus accounts: from the €8 million net plus bonus that he signed per season to €2,000 euros net per month," reported Spanish news outlet MARCA.
“It is estimated that the appeal will extend the process by six or seven months, and while the Frenchman will continue, in a certain way, to be linked to Juve he cannot enter their training ground or work with his team-mates.”
With the average Italian earning just over €2,900 per month, Pogba's drastic downfall is put into perspective.
Rio Ferdinand, another former Manchester United player who faced an eight-month ban for missing a drugs test in 2003, has offered advice to Pogba on how to navigate this challenge.
"I am well placed to sit here and chat about this because I have been through this,' Ferdinand said. I am not going to jump in straight away and say he is guilty as I have been in this position and I know Paul, I need to hear from him and see some facts," the former defender said while speaking to his Podcast 'Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE'.
"I was told by my lawyers and the club, to let the lawyers deal with it and let it run its course and hope they do the right thing by you. If I had my time again and I was Paul Pogba now and I’m innocent, I’m chatting, I’m telling the people this is what happened.
"I think he needs to speak - whether they think it messes up the court case or not - they have given him a four-year ban, I don't think it will be two if he appeals because these people will want to make sure they get their amount of blood. He has to look after himself here."