Paul Pogba insists he is "not a cheater", but acknowledges he must take responsibility for the failed doping test that led to his ongoing ban.
The Juventus and France midfielder was suspended for four years in February by Italy's national anti-doping tribunal, after a drugs test revealed elevated testosterone levels in his system.
However, earlier this month, Pogba's ban was reduced to 18 months after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled his consuming of the banned substance "was not intentional".
It means the 31-year-old can resume training in January and will be available to play from March, and he is desperate to be back doing what he loves.
"This is not me, I'm not a cheater," Pogba told Sky Sports.
"I'm someone that loves my sport, I love the game and I would never, ever cheat. I like to win fairly. I'm a bad loser, but I'm not a cheater.
"I take some responsibility because I took the supplement. I didn't triple-check, let's say it like that, even if it came from a professional. If I have to be punished, I am fine with it, but it should never be four years.
"I would just like to be on the pitch, any pitch. First, it's with Juventus. I want to be in training with team-mates, it's tough to be alone, playing passes on to the wall.
"My main focus is to get back in training, be fit and to be on the pitch doing what I love."
History-making Maldon hold Brown's Town to 1-1 stalemate to start daCosta Cup second round
History-making Maldon High had a positive start to the second round of the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Wata daCosta Cup as they played out a 1-1 stalemate with Brown’s Town in their Group 4 encounter at Jarrett Park on Wednesday.
Maldon, who are contesting the second round for the first time in the school’s history, ensured they remain in contention to go even further, as the stalemate placed both teams jointly atop the group, which includes Alphansus Davis and favourites Munro College.
Wednesday’s Results
Ocho Rios 0, Black River 0
Maldon 1, Brown’s Town 1
Christiana 0, Garvey Maceo 1
Happy Grove 3, Holmwood 2
Manning’s 0, Manchester 1
STETHS 2, Knibb 0
Paul Bogle 3, Titchfield 0
Cornwall 1, Kemps Hill 1
McGrath 8, St Mary High 1
'Things are looking really good': Concacaf boss lauds Ja's men's, women's accomplishments; reaffirms commitment to assist with continued growth
Concacaf president Victor Montagliani has praised Jamaica’s recent achievements in football, highlighting the success of both the senior men’s and women’s national teams as evidence that the island’s football is in a strong position.
Montagliani, who is currently on a visit to the island, along with Bermuda and St Lucia Football Association presidents Mark Wade and Lyndon Cooper, expressed optimism about Jamaica's football future, particularly with the announcement of much-anticipated upgrades to the National Stadium.
The Reggae Boyz are set to contest the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against United States in November and are pushing to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Reggae Girlz made history with back-to-back appearances at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, reaching the knockout stage last year, a feat that solidified their standing as one of the top teams in the region.
These accomplishments, Montagliani believes, are key indicators of the country’s footballing growth.
“Obviously, I am very excited to be back in Jamaica; we know the success that's been happening on the field, starting with your two senior teams. Obviously, the men who've now qualified for the Nation's League quarterfinal in November and obviously your women's team that has qualified for the last two Women's World Cups is obviously favoured to qualify for the next one with arguably the best player in the world [Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw] playing for them,” Montagliani said during a press conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Wednesday.
Concacaf president Victor Montagliani accepts a specially designed jersey from JFF president Michael Ricketts.
“So things are looking really good in that gold and green jersey that's being worn in our region. Even your youth teams have been very successful, U-20 and U-17, and obviously the talent has always been here since, I think the momentum of the 98 (1998 World Cup accomplishment) in terms of how things were being done. I think in the last few years, with the opportunities that the players are having through our Concacaf competitions, you're seeing things now come to fruition here in Jamaica in terms of the success both on the women's side and on the men's side,” he added.
In addition to commending the on-field success, Montagliani expressed delight at the news that Jamaica's National Stadium is set for much-needed upgrades. He hinted that the improvements could open the door for future Concacaf tournaments to be hosted on the island, a move that would further cement Jamaica’s position as a football hub in the Caribbean.
The renovation project, to be done in phases, will see the capacity of the National Stadium increase from 28,500 to 35,000.
“It was announced publicly yesterday (Tuesday) in terms of the major renovations that are going into your National Stadium; that put a smile on my face because, as you know, we brought for the first time ever into really the Caribbean and really outside of North America; we brought a Gold Cup game here in Jamaica in 2019 with tremendous success. But the reality is now the standards of international competitions, and when I say international competitions, I don't mean just at the FIFA level. I mean even at the Concacaf level.
“The standards are getting higher and higher with respect to what is expected by audiences both at the stadium and also those watching on TV and ultimately the players that are playing in it. So now that there's major renovations to bring the National Stadium to an international level bodes well for the future of both the JFF and Jamaica itself as a country, to bring events here,” Montagliani reasoned.
(from left) JFF president Michael Ricketts; Concacaf president Victor Montagliani; Lyndon Cooper, St Lucia FA president; Bermuda FA president Mark Wade, and JFF general secretary Dennis Chung share a photo opportunity.
“Whether it be regional events or even at the ultimate international level, and so we look forward to it. We told the minister [Olivia Grange] that we're here to help them in any technical way we can when they're going through the processes of design and all that. Because that's part of our job to make sure that if they're going to do it, they build it the right way. And so very excited about that,” he shared.
The president also reaffirmed Concacaf’s commitment to supporting Jamaica’s footballing infrastructure and working closely with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) to help develop the sport at all levels.
“Any decision that is made is always done for the good of the game, with the good of the game being first and foremost the players and obviously everything else that surrounds the players, coaches, administrators, and referees. After seeing the facility in Mona, I see that that spirit lives well here in Jamaica, which puts a smile on my face,” Montagliani said.
He continued: “Obviously Concacaf is here to support football. The JFF is obviously an important part of our family, and I'm also very pleased that we were joined today by two other presidents from Bermuda and St. Lucia.
“As you see by our logo, we changed it because it was very important for us to start not only talking but walking and sounding like a family. And that circle of 41 member associations represented by 41 diamonds is illustrated in this collaborative day. I'm very proud to be here, and we will continue to support the JFF and Jamaica to reach the heights that they deserve to reach.”
Southampton must build on Arsenal display for "vital" games ahead, says Martin
Russell Martin wants to see his Southampton side replicate their performances against the Premier League’s biggest clubs when they face opponents closer to them in the table.
Following their return from the international break, the Saints face Everton and Wolves, but start by welcoming Leicester City to St. Mary's this Saturday.
Having watched his team go toe-to-toe with Arsenal in their last encounter, Martin is targeting the same approach in the upcoming games that he’s labelled “absolutely vital”.
“We’ve had Newcastle away; Manchester United at home, where for half an hour we’ve been outstanding; and here,” Martin said.
“Now we have to transfer that into the games that are going to really define our season, and we have three or four of those coming up in the next block of games that are going to be absolutely vital.
“The league is so tight and is going to be so tight for so long, but today I saw so much in a lot of the guys and the team, the way it felt, to make me feel really excited about what’s to come.”
Leicester, meanwhile, earned their first win since their return to the Premier League with a 1-0 triumph over Bournemouth last time out.
Facundo Buonanotte’s only goal sealed the victory, notching his fourth goal involvement in six Premier League appearances this season – already his joint-most across a single campaign in the competition (also four in 2023-24)
The Foxes also kept a clean sheet at home in the Premier League for the first time since October 2022, though head coach Steve Cooper insisted it was just a small step in the right direction.
“Everybody gave everything in the game,” Cooper said. “They give everything every single day in training. Of course, in the first quarter of games there’s things we could have done better, but some things have really gone against us as well.
“To get that grey cloud away from us of getting that win, we’ve really got to think now about getting some more positive results like this. It’s brilliant and you’ve got to enjoy it, because it’s so hard to win games in the Premier League, but it’s one win.
“From now, there won’t be a day that goes by without me thinking about how we beat Southampton. Obviously, we’ll reflect, but all with the idea of how we can improve to try and go back-to-back when we return after the international break.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Southampton – Cameron Archer
Archer opened his Premier League account in Southampton’s defeat to Arsenal ahead of the international break, and he will be hoping to continue his scoring streak on Saturday.
This will be the 22-year-old’s first senior outing against Leicester, having played two games against them with Aston Villa’s Under-18’s, winning once and losing the other.
Leicester – Jamie Vardy
Vardy has been involved in 12 goals against Southampton in his English league career (eight goals, four assists) – against no side has he had a hand in more.
Six of these eight goals have come at St Mary’s Stadium, including a hat-trick in October 2019, while he has also scored two goals from five shots in the Premier League this term – no player to have had at least five attempts has a better conversion rate than the veteran Foxes striker (40%).
MATCH PREDICTION: SOUTHAMPTON WIN
While Southampton are favoured by Opta’s data-led simulations, they are winless in their last 20 Premier League games (D5 L15) – failure to win in this match would set a club record for their outright longest winless run in their top-flight history.
Though the Saints have had the fifth-highest share of possession in the top-flight this season (57.4%), just 3.2% of Southampton’s touches have come in the opposition box, the third-lowest ratio this term.
Martin’s side have also conceded more goals following a high turnover than any other side in the Premier League this season (four).
And having done the double over Leicester in their last Premier League campaign together in 2022-23, Southampton lost both Championship meetings with the Foxes last term by an aggregate score of 9-1.
Leicester are one of just three teams (along with Arsenal and Man City) to have scored in every Premier League game so far this season. The Foxes earned their first win of the campaign last time out, last winning consecutively in the competition in February 2023.
However, they are winless in their last three Premier League away games against Southampton (D2 L1) since a 9-0 win under Brendan Rodgers back in October 2019.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Southampton – 42.2%
Draw – 25.4%
Leicester – 32.5%
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