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Footballer Paul Pogba breaks his silence and admits he is ‘sad, shocked and heartbroken’ after being banned for four years for doping

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French forward,  Paul Pogba has broken his silence after receiving a four-year ban for doping.

He tested positive for testosterone after Juventus’ first game of the season and was given his punishment by an anti-doping prosecutor’s office in Italy on Thursday.

Pogba’s lawyers had rejected a plea deal and hoped to get their client a lighter sentence after claiming he had accidentally ingested the substance that caused the positive test, DHEA.

However, the prosecution did not believe Pogba’s defence, and he has now been given a ban that could potentially end his career.

He said: ‘I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that 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’s suspension completes a dramatic fall from grace for a player who was once the most expensive footballer in the world.

After coming through United’s academy, Pogba moved to Juventus on a free transfer in 2012 and proceeded to win four straight Serie A titles.

He returned to Old Trafford in 2016 for a world-record fee of £89m.

Pogba won the World Cup with France two years later, scoring in the final against Croatia, but struggled to hit the same heights at club level.

During his six years back in England, Pogba won the Europa League and League Cup with United, but failed to turn them into Premier League title contenders.

He left the 13-time Premier League champions on a free transfer for the second time in 2022 to go back to Juventus as he aimed to resurrect his career.

Pogba started just one game all season after being sidelined with knee, groin and hamstring problems.

He was named on the bench for their opening match of the 2023-24 season, but was an unused substitute in their 3-0 win at Udinese.

Following that match, he returned a test that has led to him receiving a four-year ban.

The substance found in his system was DHEA, which can naturally boost levels of testosterone.

Pogba requested for his B-sample to be tested, but this also came back positive in October, leading to Juventus contemplating terminating his contract.

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Transfer: I’m yet to decide my future – Osimhen

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Victor Osimhen has declared that he is yet to make a decision on his future, Ekwutosblog reports.

 

Osimhen joined Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray on loan from Napoli last September.

The Yellow and Reds are desperate to sign the Nigeria international on a permanent transfer.

The 26-year-old has also been linked with a move to Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Osimhen stated that he is yet to make a decision on where he will play his football next season.

“I haven’t decided about my future yet. Right now, my only focus is Galatasaray’s championship. I will make this team a champion,” the forward was quoted by Web Aslan.

Osimhen racked 27 goals and seven assists in 32 league appearances for Galatasaray this season.

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Yobe Desert Stars players, officials survive road crash

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Players of Yobe Desert Stars Football Club were involved in a road accident on Thursday while travelling to Birnin Kebbi for a league match.

According to a report from the Desert Stars’ Media Team, the accident which occurred in Sokoto, resulted in minor injuries to three officials and a few players, who were treated at a local hospital.

The club has called on its supporters and football fans in Damaturu to pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.

“We urge our supporters and all football lovers to remain calm and pray for the swift recovery of those injured in the accident,” the club stated.

The accident involved a mass transit bus conveying the players and their officials, as the club’s bus was not in order.

Efforts to reach officials at the scene and in Damaturu for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of filing in this report.

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‘I want to do everything I can’ – Osimhen reacts to Galatasaray win over Fenerbahce

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Victor Osimhen has once again reiterated his desire to give his best to Galatasaray, Ekwutosblog reports.

 

Osimhen fired a brace to help Galatasaray beat Fenerbahce 2-1 in the quarter-final of the Turkish Cup on Wednesday night.

The forward fired a thunderous shot inside the box to give Okan Buruk’s side the lead in the 10th minute.

He scored his second of the game from the penalty spot 17 minutes later.

“As I have said in previous interviews, I have really loved this club since I came here, I loved the people here, I loved the fans. I want to reciprocate their love by working hard. My teammates are also very important to me,” the Nigeria international told the club’s official website.

“They always support me. Of course, scoring a goal in the derby was important. If my teammates had not done very important things, I would not have been able to score those goals. I am grateful to them in this regard. I want to continue my performance. I want to do everything I can for the team.”

Galatasaray lost 2-1 to another Istanbul rival, Besiktas in a league match last weekend.

Osimhen said the players were disappointed with the outcome and were determined to compensate their fans.

“We know that Galatasaray – Fenerbahçe matches are intense and difficult matches. It is necessary to focus from the first minute to the ninetieth minute. We were actually optimistic when we came.

“Unfortunately, we made our fans unhappy last week. We had to play well here to compensate for them. Now we will look at the upcoming matches and progress match by match,” he said.

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