Paul Pogba’s doping suspension has been reduced from four years to 18 months, allowing the World Cup winner to return to competitive football in March 2025.
The decision, announced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), comes after Pogba tested positive for the banned substance DHEA following Juventus’ Serie A match against Udinese in August 2023.
Pogba, who has maintained his innocence, claimed the substance came from a nutritional supplement prescribed by a doctor and stated he never knowingly violated anti-doping regulations.
“Finally, the nightmare is over,” Pogba said in a statement, expressing relief and eagerness to return to the pitch. He thanked the CAS judges for understanding his situation, reiterating his commitment to integrity in football.
The 31-year-old midfielder, who has a contract with Juventus until 2026, had been provisionally suspended by Italy’s anti-doping tribunal in September 2023 before receiving the original four-year ban in February 2024.
Pogba has kept up his fitness during the suspension and hopes to regain match sharpness quickly upon his return.
His career has been marked by success, including helping France win the 2018 World Cup.After returning to Juventus in 2022 following his time at Manchester United, he struggled with injuries, including a knee issue that kept him out of France’s squad for the 2022 World Cup.
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