Former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has found himself at the centre of a controversy after making a surprising business move into the world of camel racing. The French footballer, who recently returned to action with Monaco following an 18-month doping ban, has become a shareholder and ambassador for the Saudi Arabian camel racing team Al-Haboob.
PETA's Stern Rebuke and Public Letter
The investment has drawn fierce criticism from the animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). In a strongly-worded public letter addressed to the 2018 World Cup winner, PETA France's Public Relations Officer, Isabelle Goetz, urged Pogba to reconsider his involvement.
The letter highlights significant animal welfare concerns associated with the sport, where camels can reach speeds of 40mph. Goetz detailed a "daily life far removed from the traditional or glamorous image," describing how young camels are taken from their mothers prematurely and subjected to coercive training.
"They suffer frequent injuries: overused joints, racing accidents, infections, dehydration, and constant stress," the statement read. It concluded that the animals' careers "often end with abandonment, sale, or slaughter when they are no longer profitable."
Pogba's Passion and PETA's Ironic Alternative
In his defence, Pogba told BBC Sport he had been studying the sport, admiring the dedication and "grit" required. "At the end of the day, sport is sport. It demands heart, sacrifice and teamwork," he said, drawing parallels between camel racing and football's core values of discipline and focus.
PETA responded sarcastically to this sporting analogy. "You speak of sacrifice in sports. In football, it's about discipline, effort, and personal choices. But here, the sacrifice is entirely borne by innocent beings," their letter stated.
The group then suggested an "absolutely harmless alternative": hobby horsing. This recreational activity involves participants galloping with toy horses on sticks. "Spectacular, creative, and above all: no camels, no horses, no animals are involved," PETA remarked.
A High-Stakes Sporting Venture
Pogba's new venture is with Al-Haboob, founded in 2018 by Omar Almaeena and Safwan Modir, which bills itself as the world's first professional camel racing team. The team competes internationally in the Gulf Cooperation Council, with ambitions to establish a fully professional league.
The financial stakes in camel racing are substantial, with some camels selling for as much as £3.75 million. Pogba, who was once the world's most expensive footballer after his £89 million move to Manchester United in 2016, expressed interest in one day owning the world's most expensive camel, calling it a "beautiful full-circle moment."
Almaeena hailed Pogba's involvement as "transformational," stating the partnership is "about more than racing; it is about sharing a heritage that deserves global recognition."
As of now, Paul Pogba has not publicly responded to PETA's letter. The footballer made his return to elite football on November 22nd in a match for Monaco against Rennes, his first appearance in 811 days following a doping ban he described as "hell."
