Earlier on Thursday, it was announced that Paul Pogba received the ban after originally failing his ‘Sample B’ drug test in September 2023. At the time, the 30-year-old had high amounts of testosterone in his blood. After investigations in which his entourage failed to show that Pogba was unaware of what he was putting into his system, the four-year ban was imposed.
The French World Cup winner slammed the decision as soon as it was announced, calling it “incorrect” and promising to appeal. Taking to his Instagram account, 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.”
He added, “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.”
Paul Pogba will have an opportunity to challenge the National Anti-Doping Tribunal’s verdict. In any case, unless the player and his team can provide new evidence on the increased levels, the ban is likely to be upheld, though it may be dropped based on the defence presented to the prosecutors.