'Shocked and heartbroken' Pogba vows to fight doping ban

Paul Pogba insists he is not guilty of doping and has vowed to appeal a reported four-year ban.

The former Manchester United ace, who currently plies his trade for Juventus, was provisionally suspended last September after a drugs test found elevated levels of testosterone in his system.

He was randomly tested after Juve's first match of the Serie A season on August 20, which saw the Italian giants win 3-0 at Udinese.

The ruling by Italy's national anti-doping tribunal means the Frenchman will be unable to play until 2027, when he will be 33, with the ban backdated to the failed test.

And Pogba wasted little time in taking to social media to protest his innocence. He said: "I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Anti-doping's decision and believe the verdict is incorrect.

"I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me.

"When I am free of legal restrictions the full story will become clear, but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations.

"As a professional athlete I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against.

"As a consequence of the decision announced today I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport."

Pogba rejoined Juve from United in the summer of 2022, with injuries and suspension restricting him to just 12 appearances since his return to Turin.