Following the announcement on Thursday that the Juventus midfielder would face a four-year ban after being found guilty of doping, Paul Pogba has spoken out.
The France international, 30, says he is “sad, shocked and heartbroken” after being banned from football for four years for a doping offence.
Shortly after the decision was issued, the French midfield player expressed his disapproval of the finding in an Instagram post, calling it “incorrect” and pledging to file an appeal.
The French World Cup winner was provisionally suspended in September after a drugs test found elevated levels of testosterone in his system.
He wrote: “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. 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. As a consequence of the decision announced today, I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
Pogba was randomly tested after Juventus’ first match of the season on 20 August.
The positive test was confirmed by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal in a second sample in October, and the anti-doping prosecutor’s office requested a four-year suspension.
The ruling means the former Manchester United player will be unable to play until 2027, when he will be 34, with the ban backdated to the date of the failed test.
