Paul Pogba has pledged to appeal his four-year doping ban and stated that he is “not finished” as a professional football player.
Pogba had a lengthy suspension earlier this year after testing positive for DHEA, a prohibited chemical that increases testosterone, in August of last year. His B sample also tested positive.
In an attempt to have his suspension lowered to two years, the midfield player is appealing the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing that he did not deliberately consume the illegal substance.
He is presently awaiting the date of his CAS hearing, but if the four-year suspension is maintained, he won’t be allowed to play football again until August 2027, when he will be thirty-four.
A video showed Pogba saying ‘I’m dead, I’m done,’ was interpreted by many media outlets. The interpretation by many was that the 31-year-old midfielder is done with football.
Paul Pogba clarifies situation
Paul Pogba, however, has now come out to clarify the situation, shutting down rumors that he could retire.
“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,” Pogba said, as reported by The Mirror.
He continued, ”I am still here, still positive, I have an opportunity to fight what in my view is an injustice.
“We’ll see, things will go better. I don’t know if you saw the whole interview, but they only put up a part of it were I hadn’t even finished speaking yet. Pogba is not finished, Pogba is here and 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 only be 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 really eager to get back.
