Simon Jordan believes Paul Pogba’s top-level football career is probably over as a result of his doping ban.
The France midfielder was slapped with a four-year ban after returning a blood sample showing elevated levels of testosterone last August.
Pogba’s B sample backed up the results of the first sample and his ban was confirmed on Thursday.
The former Manchester United midfielder has confirmed his intention to appeal the sentence, but Jordan believes the road back will remain a long for one Pogba even if his suspension is cut short.
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BREAKING: Paul Pogba has released a statement saying he will appeal his four-year ban from football to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. pic.twitter.com/Z0EOlUKXmy
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 29, 2024
“Ultimately, no one wants to see him in this position,” Simon Jordan told talkSPORT. “It probably spells the end of his career.
“It’s a sad end to Pogba because he was revered as one of the best midfielders. He was criticised for his performances at Manchester United, he’s gone back to Italian football because that was his natural home and he’s got himself banned. It’s not a good look for football either.
“Even at the best-case scenario, if he can reduce the ban to two years, it still puts him in the position where he will be out of professional football for a significant period of time. (By the time he returns) the game will have moved on.”
Pogba’s statement in full
“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.”