I am sad and shocked, Paul Pogba responds after doping ban

• French footballer Paul Pogba says he is sad and shocked following a four-year doping ban
• Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping, Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal, handed the Juventus midfielder a four-year ban
• Pogba’s ban started in August which is when he tested positive for DHEA

French footballer Paul Pogba says he is sad and shocked following a four-year doping ban announced on Thursday.

Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping, Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal, handed the Juventus midfielder a four-year ban after testing positive for banned substances. He tested positive for DHEA in August 2023. The World Anti-Doping Code (WADA) stipulates that a maximum ban is four years.

Pogba’s ban started in August which is when he tested positive for DHEA. IT will last until August 2027 and this puts a huge dark cloud on his football career because he will be 34 years old at the time.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO PAUL POGBA?

Pogba declared in a statement later on Thursday that he would file an appeal of the ruling with the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS). He further termed the whole incident as sad and shocking because he would never sabotage his football career knowingly.

Paul Pogba. Photo/ Goal.com.

He insists that TNA’s verdict is wrong and he is willing to fight for what he believes is right.

“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 professional playing career has been taken away from me,” he wrote on his Instagram page.

The father of three stated that he is looking forward to the day he will speak his truth because he cannot say anything due to the legal implications involved. He insisted that he did not take prohibited substances knowingly regardless of the outcome.

“When I am free of legal restrictions the full story will become clear, but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations. As a professional athlete I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against,” Pogba maintained.

“As a consequence of the decision announced today I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”

WHAT TEAM IS POGBA ON 2024?

Paul Pogba’s highly anticipated return to Juventus has been marred by misfortune. The French midfielder, known for his dynamic playmaking and flair, rejoined the Italian giants in 2022 after a tumultuous second stint at Manchester United.

However, a lingering knee injury and subsequent surgery prevented Pogba from ever making a competitive appearance for his current club.

Paul Pogba. Photo/Goal.com

Sadly, his hopes for a comeback were dealt a shattering blow recently with news of a doping ban, the details of which remain undisclosed. The ban casts a dark shadow over Pogba’s already troubled return and jeopardizes his future with Juventus.

Before the unceremonious end to his Manchester United tenure, Pogba’s first stint with Juventus was highly successful, where he established himself as a dominant force in midfield. His return was intended to rekindle that success, but unfortunately, fate has intervened.

Pogba’s international career paints a stark contrast. He made his debut for the French national team in 2013 and quickly became a pivotal figure. Pogba’s most outstanding achievement in the blue uniform was helping France win the 2018 World Cup in Russia, cementing his status as one of the world’s finest midfielders.

The doping ban brings an abrupt and unsavoury halt to Pogba’s roller-coaster football journey. His future trajectory, both with Juventus and the French national team, hangs in uncertainty as he awaits the outcome of his appeal.

WHAT WAS POGBA’S FIRST TEAM?

Paul Pogba’s first team, where he began playing football at the age of six, was US Roissy-en-Brie. The team is located just south of his hometown in France. He spent seven seasons with this local team before moving on to other clubs in his youth career. However, it is Manchester United where he debuted his international football career in 2011.