Juventus midfielder, Paul Pogba, has said he is “shocked and heartbroken” after he was banned from football for four years for a doping offence.
Pogba has confirmed he will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The World Cup winner tested positive for Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) following Juventus’ 3-0 win over Udinese in Serie A last August.
The Frenchman was given a provisional suspension in September and a counter-analysis was requested.
However, that also came back positive.
Anti-doping prosecutors in Italy requested for the former Manchester United midfielder to be handed a four-year suspension – the maximum punishment allowed.
And The National Anti-Doping Tribunal (TNA) announced on Thursday that Pogba is now banned from football for four years.
“I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect,” 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.”