Pogba issues SURPRISE response to drug ban question
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 26 Nov 2023 18:35 GMT
- 3 min read
Juventus midfield Paul Pogba has issued a surprising response to his doping ban while at the Abu Dhabi GP.
Pogba was present as Max Verstappen claimed the final race in the F1 calendar with yet another dominant performance in the Middle East as he won his 19th race of the 22 that have taken place this season.
But while the Dutchman has enjoyed a season of unprecedented domination, the World Cup winner was only able to be present because of his absence from the Juve side that will take on Inter Milan in a top-of-the-table clash in Serie A on Sunday.
Pogba is presently serving a ban for doping, and while the plan is that he will appeal this suspension, there is significant doubt over what the future holds for the former Manchester United midfielder, who is able to play competitive football for an indefinite period as things stand.
The 30-year-old was asked by Canal+ about his suspension while in Abu Dhabi, but he replied with a smile on his face that it was “unwelcome” to speak about the situation at that point.
Pogba did not protest his innocence to French television, instead preferring to be surprisingly vague, but his actions suggest that he remains optimistic about his future at Juventus.
Agent Rafaela Pimenta has affirmed that the France midfielder continues to stay in shape to maximise his chances of playing at a high level again.
Pogba faces two-year drug ban
Pogba initially tested positive for traces of testosterone following Juventus’ 2-0 win over Udinese on 20 August, the opening day of the Serie A season.
He asked for a counter-analysis of his B sample, which was declared to have been found positive in October.
The latest indications are that Pogba faces a suspension of at least two years, which may be sufficient for Juventus to terminate his contract and could potentially give his career at the top level a premature end.
