Ferdinand tells Paul Pogba he ‘must speak’ after four-year ban for doping

RIO FERDINAND has advised Paul Pogba to speak out after he was handed a four-year ban for doping.

Pogba tested positive for testosterone last year and was subsequently banned for four years.

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Juventus are considering terminating his contract as the Frenchman will be 34 years old by the time the ban ends.

Pogba, 30, has released a statement revealing his sadness and heartbreak and claiming the decision to suspend him was “wrong”.

He denied any wrongdoing, but Ferdinand believes he should still speak directly to the media and suggests he should appear on a show like his.

Ferdinand said on his Atmosphere with Five podcast: “If I had my time again and I was Paul Pogba now and I’m innocent, I’m chatting, I’m telling people this is what happened.

“I think he needs to speak – whether they think this is messing up the trial, not – they gave him a four year suspension, I don’t think it will be two years if he appeals, because these people want to make sure they get their amount of blood.

“He has to take care of himself here.”

Ferdinand, 45, was banned from football for eight months in 2003 after missing a drugs test.

He revealed that lawyers told him at the time not to speak out, but he regrets that decision and told Pogba he needed to hear from him.

The former England star added: “I am well placed to sit here and talk about this because I have been through this.

I’m not going to immediately say he’s guilty as I’ve been in this position and I know Paul, I need to hear from him and see some facts.

“My lawyers and the club have told me, let the lawyers deal with it and let it run its course and I hope they will do the right thing by you.”