Pogba’s Relief: Doping Ban Reduced to 18 Months

Paul Pogba says his “nightmare is over” after his four-year doping ban was reduced to 18 months after a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

Juventus midfielder, the 31-year-old, can resume training in January 2025 and be eligible to play again in March, according to BBC Sport.

Pogba, a France international, was suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado) in February after a drug test found elevated levels of testosterone—a hormone that increases endurance—in his system.

Cas director general Matthieu Reeb confirmed that the ban to Reuters on certain activities will be reduced to 18 months from September 11, 2023. Pogba expressed relief in a statement, stating that the nightmare has ended and he is eagerly anticipating the day when he can resume his dreams.

Pogba denied knowingly violating World Anti-Doping Agency regulations by taking a doctor-prescribed nutritional supplement, which does not enhance male athlete performance. He expressed gratitude to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for their understanding of a strict liability offense, expressing distress over the delay in their life.

Pogba presented evidence at a Cas hearing earlier this summer, stating he would never intentionally dope and believed the verdict was incorrect. The 2018 World Cup winner would have been unable to play until 2027 when he will be 34 if the original ban had remained in effect.

Pogba was provisionally suspended in September 2023 after being randomly tested following Juventus’ first match of the 2023-24 season on 20 August. Rafaela Pimenta, Pogba’s agent, stated during the initial suspension that he was unafraid to break a rule.

Juventus re-signed Pogba on a four-year deal in July 2022 after the player ran down his contract at Manchester United and left as a free agent following a six-year spell.

The player’s return to Turin has been beset by persistent injury issues, resulting in his absence from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Pogba played only 162 minutes in five appearances during the 2022–23 season and 51 minutes as a substitute in the following campaign before his suspension.