Paul Pogba has blasted the decision of Italy's Antidoping Tribunal to slam him with a four-year ban for doping.
An official statement statement released by the player described the Tribunal's decision as shocking and 'incorrect.' According to him, he has always maintained core professional standards as a footballer and has never knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs.
The Juventus midfielder insisted he is innocent and will appeal the decision by the Tribunal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“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 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."
With a double test that came out positive in 2023, the bottom line of the argument between Paul Pogba's lawyers and the prosecution has been whether the footballer used the substance knowingly or not.
Pogba's lawyers had maintained the player is innocent and had not intended to cheat by knowingly using the said substance - a position that has been voiced by Pogba himself.
However, the prosecution has paid deaf ears to the submissions. They believe Pogba had intentionally used the substance, hence the decision to slam him with a maximum four-year ban.
Pogba has reiterated he is innocent and will appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Should the Court of Arbitration for Sport uphold the sentence of Italy's Antidoping Tribunal, Pogba could be literally set for a career-ending freeze from footballing action.
He is currently 30 years old and will be 34 when his ban would expire. Hence, it is less likely he could return to his active career after the ban.
As per reports, If Pogba successfully proves that he did not intentionally used the substance at the Court of Arbitration for Sport the duration of his ban could be slashed to two years - a more realistic timeline for him to return to his career after the ban.
An official statement statement released by the player described the Tribunal's decision as shocking and 'incorrect.' According to him, he has always maintained core professional standards as a footballer and has never knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs.
The Juventus midfielder insisted he is innocent and will appeal the decision by the Tribunal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“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 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."
With a double test that came out positive in 2023, the bottom line of the argument between Paul Pogba's lawyers and the prosecution has been whether the footballer used the substance knowingly or not.
Pogba's lawyers had maintained the player is innocent and had not intended to cheat by knowingly using the said substance - a position that has been voiced by Pogba himself.
However, the prosecution has paid deaf ears to the submissions. They believe Pogba had intentionally used the substance, hence the decision to slam him with a maximum four-year ban.
Pogba has reiterated he is innocent and will appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Should the Court of Arbitration for Sport uphold the sentence of Italy's Antidoping Tribunal, Pogba could be literally set for a career-ending freeze from footballing action.
He is currently 30 years old and will be 34 when his ban would expire. Hence, it is less likely he could return to his active career after the ban.
As per reports, If Pogba successfully proves that he did not intentionally used the substance at the Court of Arbitration for Sport the duration of his ban could be slashed to two years - a more realistic timeline for him to return to his career after the ban.