Didier Deschamps ‘saddened’ by Paul Pogba’s doping ban
France manager Didier Deschamps has said that he is “saddened” by news of Paul Pogba’s (30) four-year doping ban. Suspended since 11th September having tested positive for a banned substance on 20th August, Juventus midfielder Pogba was handed a four-year ban on Thursday. The Frenchman responded to the news, stating that he would be contesting the ruling.
“I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me,” reacted the former Manchester United midfielder, who added that he will be appealing through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
With Pogba’s career likely over, he has likely worn the Bleu jersey of the France national team for the last time. Since making his debut for Les Bleus in 2013, he has been a regular for Deschamps, who has given him 91caps. He has scored 11 goals in that time and was a prominent figure in the side that won the World Cup in Russia in 2018.
“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,” began Deschamps in a reaction, transcribed by L’Équipe.
“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,” Deschamps added.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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