‘I've never taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations’ — Pogba on 4-year ban

France and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has expressed his devastation after being handed a four-year ban for violating anti-doping rules.

In a statement responding to his suspension from football on Thursday, February 29, the 30-year-old Pogba said he is "sad, shocked and heartbroken" that the career he has built has effectively been taken away from him at this stage.

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

He maintained his innocence, insisting he "would never knowingly take 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," Pogba stated.

The length of the 4-year ban, backdated to when he failed the drug test, leaves Pogba facing the real possibility of being unable to resume his playing career once the suspension is served when he will be 34 years old.