I will appeal incorrect doping ban, Paul Pogba retorts

A few hours after he was slammed with a four-year football ban for engaging in doping activities, Paul Pogba proclaimed his innocence, vowing to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Six Sports reported earlier on Thursday that Pogba has been handed a four-year ban by Italy’s anti-doping Tribunal, following his provisional suspension in September 2023, after a drug test found elevated levels of testosterone in his system.

Reacting to this development, Pogba said, “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. I have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against.