With Paul Pogba having been given a four-year ban for doping, France coach Didier Deschamps has lifted the lid on player's current state of mind.
At the end of last month, the midfielder was given a four-year ban after failing doping test in August 2023. The Frenchman asked for a re-analysis of the sample, but the results confirmed that he had indeed ingested a banned substance.
Pogba denied deliberately doping, but the anti-doping tribunal found him guilty nonetheless, handing him the maximum sentence of four years.
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Following the ruling, the Juventus star said he was devastated by the decision and that he would file an appeal. Many of his teammates have since publicly shown their support 31-year-old.
The France coach has now also opened up about Pogba, who is guaranteed to miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup if his appeal is rejected, according to L'Equipe.
"I’ve spoken to him. Psychologically, it’s hard," Deschamps told reporters. "The ruling was tough; he filed an appeal, so there will be another judgment. He is going to defend himself with all his strength. I don’t like to be definite about the future. Above all, I hope he can regain the pleasure of playing on the field and then find the France national team again."
Meanwhile, Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri also said that Pogba would be a huge loss for the sport. Reacting to the news earlier this month, the Italian tactician said: "Football loses an extraordinary player
"I can't comment on the ruling, I leave that to the bodies responsible for it.
"Personally I am very sorry for him, because Paul is a very good person."
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