‘Paul Pogba is not finished, My last hope are with Manchester United, they are ready to give me one more chance to revive my career’ – Juventus midfielder vows to ‘fight injustice’ of four-year doping ban as he emphatically rules out retirement after meeting up with France squad at Euro 2024 explaining how he meet up with the Manchester United New owners to finilize the case and lift the Four Years ban from football.
Paul Pogba Vows to Fight Four-Year Ban and Declares He is “Not Finished”
Background of the Situation
In August 2023, World Cup-winning midfielder Paul Pogba found himself embroiled in controversy after failing a routine doping test. A subsequent B sample confirmed the initial positive result, leading to a four-year suspension from all football-related activities. Pogba, undeterred, has decided to contest this ruling by appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Pogba’s Response
Despite being sidelined from playing, Pogba maintains a resolute stance, asserting that his career is far from over. Recently, Pogba appeared in a video where he seemingly claimed his professional life was “dead.” He later clarified that the video was poorly edited, and his statements were taken out of context. In an interview with Sky Sport Italia, Pogba explained, “If you don’t see a video where I say that I am stopping with football, it’s because I am still a football player. I am still here, still positive, and have an opportunity to fight what I view as an injustice. We’ll see, things will get better. They only put up a part of the interview where I hadn’t even finished speaking yet. Pogba is not finished. Until you see me say I’m finished, don’t worry. I still feel like a player. I am training and in these moments, I must stay positive. I am spending a lot of time with my family, seeing my kids grow up. I am not doing what I love, which is football, but I am eager to get back. I feel like a kid who wants to be a professional.”
Current Situation at Juventus
At Juventus, Pogba’s circumstances are strained. Due to the ban, he is earning the minimum salary allowed by the club, and he is barred from participating in training sessions or matches. There were rumors suggesting his contract would be terminated on June 30, but these were proven false. Pogba, who recently attended France’s Euro 2024 last-16 match against Belgium and visited the team afterward, remains in a state of limbo regarding his club future. He shared, “From what I last heard, I am still a Juventus player. You’d have to ask them. I have a contract, but I have not been able to talk yet to the director or the coach. There is silence… I think they are waiting for the appeal. As for the rest, you’d have to ask them.”
Looking Ahead
While Pogba’s current ban extends until 2027, he is hopeful for a much earlier return to the pitch. His fight against the suspension is ongoing, with several legal challenges to navigate before he can resume his career. The former Manchester United star is determined to clear his name and continue playing the sport he loves.
