Paul Pogba has said he is “not a cheater” but accepts responsibility for failing a doping test that led to a four-year football ban.
The ban was recently reduced to 18 months after the Court of Arbitration for Sport accepted the ingestion of the substance “was not intentional.”
The 31-year-old Juventus midfielder was suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado) in February after a drugs test found elevated levels of testosterone – a hormone that increases endurance – in his system.
“This is not me, I’m not a cheater,” Pogba told Sky Sports.
“I’m someone that loves my sport, I love the game and I would never, ever cheat. I like to win fairly.
“I’m a bad loser but I’m not a cheater.”
‘I take some responsibility’
The reduced ban started from 11 September 2023 with sources telling BBC Sport that Pogba can resume training in January. He will be eligible to play again in March.
“I take some responsibility because I took the supplement, ” Pogba added.
“I didn’t triple check, let’s say it like that, even if it came from a professional. If I have to be punished, I am fine with it, but it should never be four years.”
The former Manchester United player joined Juventus in July 2022 and remains under contract until the summer of 2026.
Pogba joined Juventus, reuniting with the Italian club in July 2022 after his contract at Manchester United expired.
“I would just like to be on the pitch, any pitch,” Pogba said.
“First it’s with Juventus. I want to be on the training with team mates, it’s tough to be alone, playing passes on to the wall.
“My main focus is to get back training, be fit and to be on the pitch doing what I love.”