Pogba Insists “I’m Not a Cheater” After Doping Ban Reduction

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has addressed the controversy surrounding his recent doping ban, stating emphatically, “This is not me, I’m not a cheater.” His comments come after the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced his four-year ban to 18 months earlier this month, acknowledging that his ingestion of a banned substance was “not intentional.”

The 31-year-old was initially suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado) in February after a drugs test revealed elevated testosterone levels, a hormone known to enhance endurance.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Pogba expressed his love for the sport, saying, “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.”

The 18-month ban is retroactive to September 11, 2023, and sources close to Pogba have indicated that he will be able to resume training in January and return to play by March.

“I take some responsibility because I took the supplement,” Pogba admitted. “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.”

Pogba rejoined Juventus in July 2022 after his contract with Manchester United expired, but injuries limited his appearances, resulting in just 12 matches across all competitions during the 2022-23 season. He played only twice last season before being sidelined by the positive test.

Despite the challenges, Pogba remains under contract with Juventus until the summer of 2026 and is eager to return to the pitch. “I would just like to be on the pitch, any pitch,” he said. “First it’s with Juventus. I want to be on the training with teammates; 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.”