'When I Am Free, The Story Will Become Clear': Paul Pogba Set to Appeal Four-Year Doping Ban in Court

Tough times never last, tough people do. Well, Paul Pogba might just be holding onto the same belief, as the French midfielder announced that he will be appealing his four-year doping ban at the Court of Arbitration of Sport soon.

Pogba, who has had a rough couple of years in football, was recently slapped with a arduous four-year long ban for a doping offence.

The Juventus midfielder was picked for testing after his side got the better of Udinese 3-0 in August of 2023. The tests revelead that Pogba was tested positive for dosing on testosterone — a banned substance in the sport.

Pogba was provisionally suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping (NADO Italia) tribunal in September after which prosecutors requested a maximum four-year ban in December.

Upon receiving news of the failed tests and the ban, Pogba took to his Instagram to announce his despair at the outcome and reinstated his innocence.

“I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect,” wrote Pogba in a post on his personal Instagram profile.

“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,” stated Pogba.

Pogba, who started his senior club career with English giants Manchester United, following youth stints in France with sides such as Roissy-en-Brie, Torcy, Le Havre, moved to Juventus for his first spell with the Italian side in 2012.

His return to the Old Lady of Juventus though was far away from a dream. Injuries plagued the World Cup-winner and as a result, he had struggled to make any appearances for the team for the longest.

Despite his comeback from injury, Pogba has looked like a shell of his old flamboyant and exhilirating self, making a mere 8 appearances across the last 2 seasons and failing to contribute in any possible way so far.

The odds are stacked against Pogba, yet the Frenchman holds onto his belief and announced that he shall be taking the appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in a last-ditch attempt to prove his innocence and reclaim his career in football.

“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,” concluded Pogba.