I feel sorry for Pogba on a human level – Juventus’ Allegri

Juventus coach Max Allegri said he felt sorry on a human and football level for Paul Pogba after the French midfielder was suspended for four years for doping by Italian authorities on Thursday.

Allegri told a press conference ahead of Juventus' trip to Naples on Sunday that he had contacted Pogba, who is under contract with the Turin club until June 2026, after hearing the news. The 2018 World Cup winner tested positive for testosterone after Juventus' match against Udinese on August 20, 2023, in which he was an unused substitute.

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“I wrote him a message two days ago,” Allegri said. “On a human level, I am really sorry, but also from a footballing point of view. This sport loses an extraordinary and difficult to find player that I had the pleasure of coaching.

“Besides that, Paul is also a very good person.”

French men's team coach Didier Deschamps offered his support for Pogba on Thursday, saying he did not believe the 30-year-old would have intentionally taken an illegal substance.

“I do not imagine for a single moment that Paul had the intention, the desire, to take drugs. Knowing him well, I know that this is not at all in his state of mind,” declared Deschamps .

“Just like the judgment announced on Thursday by the Italian anti-doping court, what Paul has experienced in recent months has been extremely difficult and I cannot be insensitive to his pain, given what he has done with the national team and relationships that were formed with the French team.

“His situation saddens me and I really hope that things get better… The presence of an illegal hormone is indisputable.”

Pogba confirmed on Thursday he would appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and insisted he had never knowingly used banned substances.