Juventus coach reacts to Paul Pogba's reduced ban

Juventus head coach Thiago Motta has hinted that Paul Pogba's future at the club may be in doubt following the reduction of the midfielder's ban.

The former Manchester United midfielder’s initial four-year suspension for doping has been cut to 18 months from an initial four years.

That means Pogba, whose contract with Juventus ends in 2026, will be able to return in March next year.

‘The club will assess the situation and make a decision if necessary,’ Motta said on Saturday.

‘Paul was a great player but he hasn’t played for a long time.

‘All I’m thinking about is our match tomorrow, nothing else really matters as far as I’m concerned.’

After the news of Pogba’s ban reduction was announced on Friday, the midfielder posted a picture on social media of his football boots with an hourglass emoji.

‘Finally the nightmare is over. I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again,’ Pogba said in a statement.

‘I always stated that I never knowingly breached world anti-doping agency regulations when I took a nutritional supplement prescribed to me by a doctor, which does not affect or enhance the performance of male athletes.

‘This has been a hugely distressing period in my life because everything I have worked so hard for has been put on hold.’

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