Latest news with #dopingban
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Going somewhere Paul? Pogba posts cryptic social media message ahead of sealing move to Champions League club after 18-month doping ban
Paul Pogba has shared a cryptic post on social media as he looks set to return to the beautiful game for the first time after an 18-month doping ban from the sport. The former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder was handed a four-year doping ban after returning an adverse drug test. However, that suspension was later slashed to just 18 months. Now, the ban has been served and Pogba is free to play the game once again with many European clubs eager to bring him on board. One of those clubs is set to do just that, with the midfielder now reportedly on the verge of a move to Ligue 1 side Monaco. A medical is believed to be pencilled in at the Champions League side after they reached an agreement on a two-year contract with Pogba earlier this week. Ahead of the move, it appears that the World Cup winner is set to jet off somewhere as he posted a selfie from within an airport departure lounge, accompanied by a four-emoji-long message. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paul Labile Pogba (@paulpogba) The post on Instagram first shows Pogba travelling somewhere with a seatbelt on, while the picture that follows looks to show him smiling in a lounge. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano previously reported that Pogba was set to fly into the principality of Monaco to undergo a medical, before putting pen to paper on a contract, which has led to speculation that Pogba's post is in regards to that. French newspaper Le Parisien reported on Tuesday that Pogba had made 'significant financial sacrifices' to agree terms with the Ligue 1 side, with an agreement having been reached on Sunday. Though he has not actually played a game since September 2023, he has at least been sharing the progress of his training regime on social media in order to reignite his football career. Joining Monaco would see Pogba return to the Champions League after the Ligue 1 side finished third in the league behind Marseille and champions PSG. Despite representing France 91 times and winning the World Cup with Les Bleus in 2018, he has never actually played in the country's top-flight. Having come through the ranks at Manchester United, he joined Juventus before a then-record return to Old Trafford in 2016. From United, he once again joined Juventus on a free transfer in 2022, before his life came crumbling down in his second season back at the Old Lady when he learned of his suspension. The 30-year-old tested positive for testosterone after Juventus's first game of the 2023-24 season against Udinese, and was given a hefty four-yeard punishment by an anti-doping prosecutor's office in Italy. However, in October 2024 Mail Sport exclusively revealed that the former France international's original suspension had been slashed to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. In CAS' final judgement, it was confirmed that Pogba did inadvertently take DHEA, a substance that boosts testosterone that is on WADA's banned list. Crucially, however, the ruling states that DHEA only affects females. In an exclusive interview with Mail Sport last year, Pogba revealed the story of how he found out the news that he would be able to play football again in 2025. 'Here's a funny story: I was trying on a new suit for a film premiere but I didn't have my phone,' Pogba told Mail Sport. 'My wife (Zulay) comes rushing upstairs with my phone screaming, 'It's the lawyer'. I said I would call him back but she said I had to take the call. 'So I went downstairs to speak to him with the suit on! He told me the news and I was silent. Everyone was jumping, so happy but I was in shock. Quickly that happiness turned into a determination. We went through hell. A time of darkness. But this is my second chance, I have to use it. I was pumped.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Paul Pogba 'poised for medical at Champions League club' as ex-Man United star nears return to football after 18-month doping ban
Paul Pogba is reportedly only a medical away from sealing his return to professional football following an 18-month doping ban. The former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder was handed a four-year doping ban after returning an adverse drugs test. That suspension was later slashed to just 18 months. In the Court of Arbitration for Sport's final judgement it was confirmed that Pogba did inadvertently take DHEA, a substance that boosts testosterone that is on WADA's banned list. The ruling stated however that DHEA only has an effect on females. After his ban officially ended earlier this year, he has been linked to a return to the game this summer. Earlier this week it was reported that Pogba had agreed a two-year deal with Ligue 1 side Monaco. The French midfielder has been without a club since 2024 after being handed an 18-month doping ban in 2023 According to Fabrizio Romano, Pogba is set to fly into the principality with the next 24 hours to undergo a medical, before putting pen to paper on a contract. French newspaper Le Parisien reported on Tuesday that Pogba had made 'significant financial sacrifices' to agree terms with the Ligue 1 side, with an agreement having been reached on Sunday. Though he has not actually played a game since September 2023, he has at least been sharing progress of his training regime on social media in order to reignite his football career. Joining Monaco would see Pogba return to the Champions League after the Ligue 1 side finished third in the league behind Marseille and champions PSG. Despite representing France 91 times and winning the World Cup with Les Bleus in 2018, he has never actually played in the country's top-flight. Having come through the ranks at Manchester United, he joined Juventus before a then-record return to Old Trafford in 2016. From United, he once again joined Juventus on a free transfer in 2022. Earlier this week, the former Man United star was pictured taking in taking in a pre-season training session with a number of youngsters from his old club. Pogba was snapped with Leny Yoro, who joined the club last summer from Ligue 1 side Lille, and Carrington starlet Kobbie Mainoo. The trio are thought to be training in Florida, with Pogba sporting a vintage Juventus kit to go through his work-out.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Paul Pogba reveals he was left 'shocked' by 'unkind' Juventus as former Man United star nears return to football after 18-month doping ban
Paul Pogba believes that Juventus did not do enough to support him during his doping ban. The former Man United midfielder was handed a four-year suspension after returning an adverse drugs test, however that was later slashed to 18 months. The ban officially ended in March. In the Court of Arbitration for Sport's final judgement it was confirmed that Pogba did inadvertently take DHEA, a substance that boosts testosterone that is on WADA's banned list. The ruling stated however that DHEA only has an effect on females. Pogba left Juventus last November after the Serie A club confirmed the termination of his contract by mutual consent. And the 32-year-old has now reportedly signed a two-year deal with Monaco. The Parisien claims that he took 'significant financial sacrifices' in order to pen terms with the Ligue 1 side, in order to secure his return. The two parties are thought to have been in discussions for several days before at last agreeing to the financials on Sunday. And, as he nears a return to professional football, Pogba has opened up about how he was treated by Juventus during his suspension. 'I asked Juventus for help, but I wasn't given it,' Pogba told TF1. 'I asked to get a fitness coach.I had the right, and I was always part of the team. They were not very kind to me, they did not support me, and I was shocked. I did not understand why. 'I thought I was at war with anti-doping authorities, not Juventus. 'I couldn't keep taking my kids to school every day, passing by the stadium and the training centre, and knowing I wouldn't be able to play for a long time. My kids kept asking me when I'd be back on the pitch and when they could watch me at the stadium again.' And Pogba, who starred in France's World Cup triumph in 2018, insists he still has plenty to offer the game. 'I'm mentally and physically ready, and I'm eager to start again. I'm 32, but I still feel like a kid,' he added.
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Sport
- Malay Mail
‘Talking to a club': Pogba eyes comeback after doping ban, reconnects with brother
PARIS, June 23 — Former France midfielder Paul Pogba, who wants to resume his career after a doping ban, said on French television on Sunday he is 'talking' with a club, which sources close to him said was Monaco. The 32-year-old also said he had re-established contact with his brother Mathias, sentenced to a year in prison last December for his involvement in a plot to extort €13 million (RM64 million) from the 2018 World Cup winner. Pogba, who played for Manchester United and Juventus, is hoping to put three chaotic years behind him. Pogba suffered through repeated injuries and patchy form that led to his departure from United in 2022. He returned for a second stint at Juventus, where his problems continued. He failed a drugs test after a game in Italy in August 2023 and was handed a four-year doping ban, which was reduced 18 months on appeal. It ended in March. 'It was very, very hard,' he said. He said he was 'talking' to a club, which multiple sources said was Ligue 1 Monaco. Pogba said he was determined 'to get back on the pitch, mentally ready, physically ready, it's just a matter of time'. The extortion case involving six men linked to Paul Pogba shocked France because the perpetrators included three childhood friends and his own brother. The five other defendants were found guilty of extortion, kidnapping and detention, as well as participation in a criminal association, and sentenced to up to eight years in prison. All six were also fined. Paul Pogba said he was talking to Mathias who is being allowed to serve his sentence wearing an electronic bracelet rather than behind bars. 'We are in contact. We've spoken, among ourselves, with the family,' Paul Pogba said. 'It's a blood bond. There was a scar, of course. We're moving forward. Only time can give us answers.' 'All we want is to always be united as a family. That's the most important thing. It's hard. Of course it's very hard, I'm not going to lie. I was hurt. It's not the same as before, but we're in touch,' he added. Paul Pogba was held at gunpoint in 2022 by two hooded men who demanded money. He said on Sunday that he was initially willing to pay but 'afterwards, I cracked,' he said, deciding 'to speak out, even if it meant dying' and refusing 'to throw away my money like that'. He said the ban and the court case had changed him 'I learned a lot during this period,' Pogba said. 'I did a lot of cleaning around myself too. I am also much closer to my family, my children.' — AFP
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pogba says he is talking to a club about comeback after ban
Paul Pogba went to Cannes in May to see crime film "Highest 2 Lowest" and may return to the Riviera to join Monaco after his own legal dramas (Sameer AL-DOUMY) Former France midfielder Paul Pogba, who wants to resume his career after a doping ban, said on French television on Sunday he is "talking" with a club, which sources close to him said was Monaco. The 32-year-old also said he had re-established contact with his brother Mathias, sentenced to a year in prison last December for his involvement in a plot to extort 13 million euros ($15 million) from the 2018 World Cup winner. Advertisement Pogba, who played for Manchester United and Juventus, is hoping to put three chaotic years behind him. Pogba suffered through repeated injuries and patchy form that led to his departure from United in 2022. He returned for a second stint at Juventus, where his problems continued. He failed a drugs test after a game in Italy in August 2023 and was handed a four-year doping ban, which was reduced 18 months on appeal. It ended in March. "It was very, very hard," he said. He said he was "talking" to a club, which multiple sources said was Ligue 1 Monaco. Pogba said he was determined "to get back on the pitch, mentally ready, physically ready, it's just a matter of time". Advertisement The extortion case involving six men linked to Paul Pogba shocked France because the perpetrators included three childhood friends and his own brother. The five other defendants were found guilty of extortion, kidnapping and detention, as well as participation in a criminal association, and sentenced to up to eight years in prison. All six were also fined. Paul Pogba said he was talking to Mathias who is being allowed to serve his sentence wearing an electronic bracelet rather than behind bars. "We are in contact. We've spoken, among ourselves, with the family," Paul Pogba said. "It's a blood bond. There was a scar, of course. We're moving forward. Only time can give us answers." Advertisement "All we want is to always be united as a family. That's the most important thing. It's hard. Of course it's very hard, I'm not going to lie. I was hurt. It's not the same as before, but we're in touch," he added. Paul Pogba was held at gunpoint in 2022 by two hooded men who demanded money. He said on Sunday that he was initially willing to pay but "afterwards, I cracked," he said, deciding "to speak out, even if it meant dying" and refusing "to throw away my money like that". He said the ban and the court case had changed him "I learned a lot during this period," Pogba said. "I did a lot of cleaning around myself too. I am also much closer to my family, my children." eba/pb/ea
