Rio Ferdinand advises ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba after drugs ban

Rio Ferdinand has urged former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba to speak up now if he is innocent following his four-year drug ban.

Last week, the Frenchman was given a lengthy punishment after testing positive for the banned substance DHEA which boosts testosterone in the body. After the ban was handed down, Pogba released the following statement: "I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect.

"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.

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"As a professional athlete, I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against. As a consequence of the decision announced today, I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport."

Ferdinand has gone through a similar experience to Pogba. In 2003 he was handed an eight-month ban and fined £50,000 for failing to provide a sample following a training session.

The former defender appealed the decision but lost. Now, the 45-year-old believes Pogba should not waste any time in making his story public.

Ferdinand told his podcast Vibe with FIVE: "I am well placed to sit here and chat about this because I have been through this. I am not going to jump in straight away and say he is guilty as I have