Paul Pogba Speaks Out Against Cheating and Aims for France Comeback Post Reduced Doping Ban
Paul Pogba has expressed his determination to prove his innocence after his doping ban was lessened earlier this month, with his sights set on a return to the French national team once his suspension concludes in March.
The 31-year-old former Manchester United midfielder was initially handed a four-year ban in March, following a provisional suspension since September the previous year when he tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). However, after a rigorous appeal process, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced his ban to 18 months on October 4, paving the way for his return to the pitch in March.
The CAS ruling acknowledged that Pogba’s ingestion of the banned substance was unintentional, attributing it to a mistake in taking a supplement prescribed by a medical professional in Florida. In an interview with Sky Sports News, the 2018 World Cup winner reiterated his commitment to fair play and his clean record.
Pogba stated, “I am an honest person and I would say it. At the end, I would say it ‘yes I did because I felt like I need it’ and that’s not the case. This is not me. I am not a cheater. I am someone who loves my sport, I love the game and I would never ever. I don’t like to cheat. I like to win fairly and people know that.”
While currently under contract with Juventus until 2026, Pogba remained vague about his future with the club, hinting at a potential mutual termination of his contract or a return to training with Juventus in January. His primary focus lies on resuming his international career with France, pledging to earn his place back in the national team through hard work and dedication.
Reflecting on his enforced break from the sport, Pogba emphasized how it made him value his career even more, with a newfound hunger and appreciation for the game. He vowed to return to the pitch as a rejuvenated player, declaring, “Still the same player with a different hunger and more motivated, more and more hungry and I will for sure appreciate the game more than before because the game been taken away from me and I realize how important it is for me.”
Looking ahead, Pogba expressed his eagerness to return to playing and showcase an even stronger version of himself, embracing the opportunity to make a significant impact on the field.