PAUL POGBA has been told to "stay strong" after being handed a four-year ban from football.
The 30-year-old was issued with a four-year football suspension on Thursday for a doping offence.
He tested positive for banned substance DHEA, which naturally boosts testosterone production, in August 2023 and was handed a provisional ban the following month.
Pogba's suspension runs from 11 September 2023 - the date he was provisionally banned pending investigation - to 10 September 2027, meaning he will not be allowed to return until he is 34-years-old.
However, in a statement published on Thursday afternoon the midfielder revealed that he plans to appeal the decision.
The statement read: "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.
"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."
Pogba's statement in full
Pogba's statement read: "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.
"When I am
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