Graeme Souness slams 'lazy' Paul Pogba for 'wasting his career' after doping ban
02.03.2024 - 19:17
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Graeme Souness has reignited his feud with former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba by blaming him for "wasting his career" due to a doping ban. The ex-Sky Sports pundit often criticised Pogba during his time at Old Trafford.
Pogba, 30, was hit with a four-year ban on Thursday following a positive test for enhanced testosterone levels, having been provisionally suspended since September. The France international questioned the verdict and plans to appeal the decision.
Writing on Instagram, Pogba said: "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."
Souness often aired his frustrations over the manner of Pogba's performances for United after his then-world-record move from Juventus in 2016. However, the Liverpool legend has insisted that he simply feels sadness that Pogba's career could potentially be ended by a doping ban and explained the root of his ire towards the World Cup winner.
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Souness told The Daily Mail: "For me, there really was never any doubt about Pogba's ability. What I saw in him was a player with great technical ability and physique who had the potential to be one of the best midfield players our sport had ever known.
"It was his lack of honesty and poor effort levels which always frustrated me. Frankly, he was lazy. Someone