French international football star Paul Pogba’s initial four-year ban from football for doping has been reduced to 18 months, a representative from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed on Friday, October 4. The Juventus midfielder will be eligible to return to the pitch from March 11, 2025, just four days before his 32nd birthday.
The ruling, which became effective on September 11, 2023, comes after Pogba’s appeal against the original sentence imposed by the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal.
The tribunal had banned Pogba for four years in February after he tested positive for testosterone following a Serie A match between Juventus and Udinese in August 2023. At the time, the suspension raised concerns about the potential end of the former World Cup winner’s illustrious career.
While the CAS spokesperson confirmed the decision to reduce the ban, they noted that the full reasons for the ruling would be released at a later date. The decision, however, represents a significant relief for Pogba, whose football career seemed uncertain following the original suspension.
Supplemental Controversy
Pogba’s positive test for testosterone, a prohibited substance in professional sports, triggered widespread speculation.
His legal representatives maintained that the banned substance entered his system through a food supplement prescribed by a doctor he consulted while in the United States. According to Pogba’s defense, the player was unaware that the supplement contained the performance-enhancing substance.
Shortly after news of his suspension broke in September 2023, Pogba addressed his fans on social media, stating that he had “never knowingly or deliberately” used doping products. He expressed his devastation, noting that his reputation and career were being jeopardized due to circumstances beyond his control.
“I am sad, shocked, and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me,” Pogba said in an Instagram post. He reaffirmed his commitment to clearing his name and returning to football, emphasizing that he would not allow the incident to define his legacy.
Pogba’s Return to the Game
The decision to reduce Pogba’s ban now opens the door for his eventual return to competitive football. Under contract with Juventus until 2026, the midfielder could still have a meaningful impact at the club and international levels upon his return. He is scheduled to be back in action in March 2025, provided no further complications arise.
Pogba’s return would come at a crucial time for Juventus, who have struggled with consistency in recent seasons. The club, historically one of Italy’s most successful, has faced on-field and off-field challenges, and Pogba’s comeback could offer a much-needed boost.
On Friday evening, after the CAS ruling was announced, Pogba took to social media once again. This time, his post was more subdued, featuring only a close-up photo of his feet in Pogba-branded football boots. The socks he wore in the photo were adorned with the French flag and the two stars representing France’s World Cup victories, a subtle reminder of his storied career.
As Pogba looks ahead to his return to football, the reduced suspension will allow him to reclaim his place in the sport, and fans around the world will be watching closely to see how the next chapter of his career unfolds.
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