Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has broken his silence after the failed doping test that led to his suspension, insisting he is “not a cheater” but acknowledging his role in the incident. Earlier this month, Pogba’s initial four-year ban was reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which accepted that his ingestion of a banned substance was unintentional.
The 31-year-old was initially suspended in February after elevated levels of testosterone were found in his system following a drugs test by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado). Testosterone, a hormone that can enhance endurance, was detected, leading to Pogba’s immediate suspension. In an interview with Sky Sports, Pogba addressed the situation directly.
“This is not me, I’m not a cheater,” Pogba stated. “I love my sport, I love the game, and I would never cheat. I like to win fairly. I’m a bad loser, but I’m not a cheater.”
Although Pogba firmly denies any intent to cheat, he admitted some responsibility for the failed test, explaining that the substance entered his system through a supplement. “I take some responsibility because I took the supplement,” Pogba admitted. “I didn’t triple-check, even though it came from a professional. If I have to be punished, I’m fine with it, but it should never be four years.”
The reduction in Pogba’s ban, which started from September 11, 2023, means he could return to training by January 2024, with a potential return to competitive action in March. Despite this setback, Pogba remains optimistic and focused on getting back on the field.
“I would just like to be on the pitch, any pitch,” he said. “First it’s with Juventus. I want to train with my teammates; it’s tough to be alone, playing passes to the wall. My main focus is to get back training, be fit, and be on the pitch doing what I love.”
Pogba rejoined Juventus in July 2022 after his contract with Manchester United expired, but injuries have severely limited his playing time since returning to the club. He made just 12 appearances across all competitions in the 2022-23 season, and only featured twice in the last campaign before his suspension.
Pogba is under contract with Juventus until the summer of 2026 and is looking forward to putting this challenging period behind him as he prepares to rejoin the squad and get back to doing what he loves most—playing football.
