Juventus midfielder, Paul Pogba has released an official statement following the four-year ban which was issued to him for violating doping rules.
The 31-year-old released a statement on his official Instagram account on Thursday, February 29, 2024, claiming his innocence. According to Pogba, he had never cheated anyone in football or intentionally used enhancing drugs to have an undue advantage over his colleagues.
He 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.”
He continued,
“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.”
Recall that the midfielder tested positive for a high level of testosterone in his body after Juventus’ first game of the 2023/24 season. He was an unused substitute in the game but he was picked up for random testing.
