France manager Didier Deschamps has spoken about Paul Pogba’s four-year ban for the first time.
On Thursday morning, it was reported that Frenchman Pogba had been handed a four-year ban following his failed drug test.
The former Manchester United star was provisionally banned back in September 2023 after failing a drug test which took place after Juventus’ 3-1 win over Udinese in August.
Pogba released a statement claiming he will be appealing the decision, it 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.
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“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.
“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 consequence of the decision announced today I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
Now, France manager Deschamps has reacted to Pogba’s ban.
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As reported by L’Equipe, he said: “I don’t believe for a minute that Pogba intended to or wanted to dope. Knowing him well, I know that is not how he is. Just like the judgement announced by the Italian anti-doping tribunal on Thursday, what Paul has experienced these past months has been extremely difficult and I can’t be insensitive to his pain, given what he has done with the national team and the relationships that have been formed with the France national team.
“His situation saddens me and I really hope that things will work out. I want to believe that in any case […] the presence of an illegal hormone is incontestable. That’s the problem for Paul and he will have to lead a fight to defend himself.”
Featured Image Credit: YouTube@cavousofficiel/GettyTopics: Paul Pogba, France, Didier Deschamps, Juventus, Football