Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba said he is “not a cheater” but was held accountable for a failed doping test that resulted in a stoppage.
Pogba’s four-year term was reduced to 18 months earlier this month when the Games’ Court of Arbitration ruled that his intake of a banned substance was “unintentional.”
The 31-year-old was suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado) in February after a drug test found elevated levels of testosterone, a hormone that increases continuity, in his system.
“This is not me, I’m not a cheater,” Pogba told Sky Sports.
“I’m someone who loves my sport, I love the game and I would never cheat. I like to win fairly.
“I’m a malicious loser, but I’m not a cheater anymore.”
The reduced ban began on September 11, 2023, and sources close to Pogba told BBC Sport that he can resume training in January and will be able to play again from March.
“I’m eliminated from some tasks because I took the supplement,” Pogba added.
“I didn’t do a triple test, let’s put it that way, although it came from a classification. If they punish me, I’m very fine with that, but it should never be four years.”
Pogba joined Juventus and rejoined the Italian club in July 2022 after his contract with Manchester United expired.
He featured just 12 times in all competitions after returning to Turin, with injuries restricting his playing time in 2022-23, while he played just twice last season before being withdrawn due to the positive test.
Pogba remains under contract with Juventus, his contract expires in the summer of 2026 and he hopes to return to training with the rest of the team.
“I would like to pay attention to the sound, any sound,” Pogba said.
“First is with Juventus. I would like to train with my colleagues on the coaching staff, it is difficult to be alone, to participate in direct passes to the wall.
“My main goal is to get back into training, get fit and be on the pitch doing what I love.”
