Juventus midfielder, Paul Pogba, says he is “shocked and heartbroken” after he was banned from football for four years for a doping offence.
He vows to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The World Cup winner tested positive for Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) following Juventus’ 3-0 win over Udinese in Serie A last August.
The Frenchman was given a provisional suspension in September and a counter-analysis was requested. However, that also came back positive.
Anti-doping prosecutors in Italy recommended that the former Manchester United midfielder be handed a four-year suspension – the maximum punishment allowed.
And The National Anti-Doping Tribunal (TNA) announced on Thursday that Pogba is now banned from football for four years.
“I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Anti-doping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect,” Pogba said in a statement.
“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.”
