Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba failed a drugs test last year and has been punished with a four-year ban.
Rio Ferdinand, who played with Pogba at United, has sought to offer his former team-mate advice having been through his own doping scandal in 2003.
The former England international turned pundit was given an eight-month ban from football on top of a £50,000 fine after failing to show up for a drugs test following a training session in September that year.
Ferdinand was 25-years-old at the time and he lost an appeal in 2004.
Speaking on his latest FIVE podcast, Ferdinand said he would be speaking out if he was in Pogba’s position now, with the benefit of his own experience on the matter.
“I am well placed to sit here and chat about this because I have been through this,” Ferdinand said.
“I am not going to jump in straight away and say he is guilty as I have been in this position and I know Paul, I need to hear from him and see some facts.
“I was told by my lawyers and the club, let the lawyers deal with it and let it run its course and hope they do the right thing by you.
“If I had my time again and I was Paul Pogba now and I’m innocent, I’m chatting, I’m telling the people this is what happened.
“I think he needs to speak – whether they think it messes up the court case or not – they have given him a four-year ban, I don’t think it will be two if he appeals because these people will want to make sure they get their amount of blood.
“He has to look after himself here.”
Paul Pogba Doping Ban Reaction pic.twitter.com/OC4tpMwRYQ
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) March 5, 2024
This could spell the end of Pogba’s football career as a player, unless he can get the ban shortened by at least two years.
Juventus must be gutted they brought him back to the club.
While Ferdinand is sympathetic with Pogba, as a former team-mate, I don’t think many United fans will be playing the violin.
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