I served a two-year drug ban and worked in a garage while I was suspended – now I’m making my own way again in EFL
BAMBO DIABY swapped playing football for flogging cars during his two-year FA drugs suspension.
And now the defender wants to help Sheffield Wednesday transform from a clapped-out banger to a purring Rolls Royce.
Diaby, 25, was found guilty of breaching anti-doping rules after testing positive for the banned substance Higenamine while at Barnsley in 2019.
Although the Senegalese ace was cleared of having knowingly taken the drug, he still had to sit out a lengthy ban.
He said: “It was a difficult time. I went home to Barcelona and spent all the money I had on working out in a professional gym to keep myself fit.
“But I also started working in a local garage as I’ve always had an interest in cars.
“I went along and asked the boss if I could work there. I explained my situation — that I was a professional footballer who had been banned.
“I wasn’t shy to tell him because that was the reality.
“So they gave me a trial and I learned so much about cars — if you ever want a car, I can sell you one!
“I had to sell cars online, over the computer, on the phone, talking to people face-to-face.
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“The cars were coming in and going out. I was having to buy and then sell them. I had to control around 200 cars. It was such a great experience.”
Diaby’s whole life up to that point had been training and playing in front of thousands of people each week in the glitzy world of football.
But during his time selling motors Diaby was having to live in the ‘real world’, working normal working-day hours from Monday to Saturday.
He said: “In between working I was going to the gym to do my personal training, which was important for when I returned to football.
“I’d wake up early, work out until about 10am and then do a full day. If I was an hour late, I’d have to work later or do extra to make up the time.”
It was a humbling but happy experience for Diaby, who says he has always stayed grounded despite making it as a footballer.
And during those dark days it was his family, friends and new work colleagues that provided him with much strength to get through two years without football.
Diaby, who signed for Wednesday from Preston during the summer, said: “They all helped me. It’s thanks to them that I didn’t give up on football.
“During those low moments where you think your career is done, they are there to say, ‘Hey, you need to come back strong.’
“They remind you why you started playing football in the first place.
“And that time was an experience that made me stronger. It’s also something that helps me in the situation we find ourselves in now at the bottom of the Championship.
“It doesn’t matter how difficult a situation is. You must work, have trust and belief. Then you can do it.”
If you ever want a car, I can sell you one! I had to sell cars online, over the computer, on the phone, talking to people face-to-face.
Bambo Diaby
Diaby said he got much support from former team-mates and coaches during his football exile — and that they believed he was not guilty of deliberately taking a banned substance.
He added: “They know how hard you work and train to be in shape and know me outside of football. They knew it was impossible for a player like me to knowingly take banned substances.
“All of my Barnsley team-mates were texting and helping me through my time in Barcelona — even if it was just a quick message, saying ‘Bambo, your time will come again.’ It meant a lot.”
His ordeal has given him experience to help others make sure they do not make any mistake.
He said: “I always tell young players, like I do with my nephew, to take care of what you eat because sometimes there are risks. You must take responsibility for your body.”
Rock-bottom Wednesday travel to Wayne Rooney’s Birmingham on Saturday, having only won once all season — a 3-0 win over Rotherham last month.
But under new boss Danny Rohl, Diaby believes the team are on the right path to turning things around.
The defender was part of a Barnsley team that were embroiled in a relegation scrap before ultimately staying up.
He said: “I look at the table to use it as inspiration and to say to myself and the team, ‘Come on, we’ve got to get up’.
“I don’t look for excuses why we’ve done badly. I only look for excuses to be motivated. I want to get up the table with this team. I know how hard we’re working and feel we can improve.
“To successfully beat relegation the most important thing you need is belief.
“If you go onto the pitch without it, you already have the wrong mentality and have lost before a ball has been kicked.
“I like to have belief and if you look into the eyes of each player, they believe.”