05 March 2024 , 16:49
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Rio Ferdinand has reached out to his former Manchester United team-mate Paul Pogba with some advice after he was handed a four-year doping ban.
Pogba discovered his ban on February 29 after testing positive for DHEA – a banned substance that boosts testosterone – back in September. The 30-year-old Juventus midfielder has said the taking of any prohibited substance was never intentional, claiming it was unwittingly ingested via a supplement.
His defence did not work and the National Anti-Doping Tribunal decided to give Pogba the maximum punishment possible. He has since announced his intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Ferdinand was banned for eight months in December 2003 for missing a drugs test at United's training ground. He never tested positive for any banned substance and maintains it was just forgetfulness that saw him miss the test, but was advised by his lawyers to stay silent and let the process play out.
That experience – and his relationship with Pogba, formed during three years together at United – has coloured his view of the Frenchman's situation.
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And the former defender has now used his FIVE YouTube show to urge him to speak out about his situation. "Firstly, you want to know the detail behind it. In the media, you comment about stuff and I think with drugs and that, you need to know the detail," he said.
"I'm well placed to sit and chat about this because I've been through this. And I'm not going to jump to, 'He's guilty' because I've been here in this position. I know Paul, I played with him and I know him well enough after. I need to hear from him and then I need to hear some facts."
Ferdinand went on to advise Pogba to "look after himself" before suggesting his own platform as the perfect stage to tell his story. He said: "If I had my time again now and I was Paul Pogba now and I'm innocent, I'm chatting. I'm coming on FIVE and I'm talking and I'm telling the people, 'This is what happened.'"
Paul Pogba is appealing against his four-year ban (Getty Images)The Daily Mail has reported that Pogba's positive test came from a set of pills prescribed by a US doctor. He was instructed to take the tablets after blood tests revealed certain deficiencies in his body.
After the verdict, Pogba said in a statement: "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."
Mirror Football understands that Pogba is not intending to speak publicly before his CAS hearing, where he will have a chance to present his case to appointed judges.
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