Gary Lineker has expressed concerns following Paul Pogba’s four-year ban for doping, sharing a troubling theory regarding the prevalence of performance-enhancing drugs in football.
In response to Juventus’ Pogba being banned for doping, Lineker voiced his apprehensions about the possibility of such practices being widespread in football, attributing it to the significant financial stakes involved in the sport.
On The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker remarked, “I wonder a little bit generally. I’ve always had a slight fear in recent years about possible performance-enhancing drugs in football.”
Highlighting the extended careers of many players and the substantial financial rewards at stake, Lineker suggested that the allure of enhancing performance might be present for some.
He indicated, “And I know things have improved with medical situations and stuff but it’s in most other sports, and when you consider the amount of money in football if you can perform a little bit better, with the vast sums you could get the temptations must be there.”
While acknowledging Pogba’s intention to appeal the ban, Lineker expressed concerns that Pogba might not be the only player engaging in such activities, indicating that it is a worry across all sports.
