Paul Pogba has revealed his intention to appeal his four-year ban from football, citing his innocence in the matter.
The former Manchester United midfielder was slapped with the ban after testing positive for the banned substance DHEA following Juve’s Serie A clash with Udinese in August 2023.
Taking to Instagram, Pogba expressed his disappointment and frustration with the decision, stating that he had never knowingly taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations.
Paul Pogba has accomplished some great things in his career so far.#3SportsGH pic.twitter.com/UDsrnQQqFk
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) February 29, 2024
“I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect,” he wrote. “I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me.”
Pogba went on to assert that he has always been a clean player and would never intentionally use banned substances to gain an unfair advantage.
“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,” he continued.
Earlier today, Paul Pogba was handed a four-year ban due to doping.@_owurakuampofo takes a look at what the future holds for the French midfielder.#3Sports pic.twitter.com/zeEDkCjybN
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) February 29, 2024
The France international also confirmed that he will appeal the ban before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“As a consequence of the decision announced today I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” he concluded.
Pogba’s ban is set to expire in 2027 when he will be nearly 34 years old. The midfielder has already missed several months of action due to injury, and this latest development could potentially spell the end of his career.